Three Key Facts:
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- Erie International Airport received a $1.4 million grant from the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law to support safety upgrades, including a taxiway realignment project to minimize aircraft incidents. It is just one of several that total more than $19.6 million since 2021.
- The airport serves 170,000 passengers annually, supports nearly 1,000 jobs, and generates $136.2 million in economic output, benefiting local businesses and boosting visitor spending.
- The improvements aim to handle increased passenger demand, attract new carriers, and expand routes like direct flights to Orlando and Tampa, enhancing tourism to regional attractions like Presque Isle State Park and Lake Erie Wine Country.
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Airport so far has received more than $19 million in grants from the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law
Erie International Airport, a key transportation hub for Northwestern Pennsylvania, received a $1.4 million grant for new safety enhancements and improvements that support the airport’s year-round operation.
The funds, which come from Biden-Harris infrastructure law, will support a taxiway realignment project at the airport. This funding is in addition to the airport’s annual $1.4 million Airport Improvement Program grant from the federal government.
The $1.4 million grant is one of several Erie International Airport has received through Biden-Harris infrastructure policies. Since 2021, these policies have provided the airport with $19.6 million in special grants. This funding is separate from the airport’s regular federal allocations, which are based on annual passenger volume.
“We’ll use these funds for a project called the Taxiway Alpha Realignment,” said airport Executive Director Derek Martin. “Our goal is to design it and open bidding in spring 2022.”
The project aims to increase the distance between the runway and taxiway to minimize the risk of aircraft incidents. This increased spacing, known as “separation,” is a common safety measure in airport design, Martin added.
“The separation on the new part that was done when the airport expanded is correct,” Martin explained, “but as you continue from the east side of the airfield on the taxi lane heading westbound it bumps out to the south. And so we need to make that bump go back towards the north to be in proper alignment with the new requirements.”
Economic Impact
The airport supports the local economy by serving 170,000 passengers annually, sustaining nearly 1,000 jobs , and generating $136.2 million in economic output. Local businesses like GE Transportation and Erie Insurance depend on it for travel, while hotels, restaurants, and shops benefit from visitor spending.
“The airport is a vital resource to the region, driving economic growth. Without air service, many local businesses would stagnate,” Martin explained,
Future Growth for Erie
The upgrades enable Erie Airport to meet growing passenger demand and attract new carriers, including recently added direct flights to Orlando and Tampa. Officials expect the improvements to boost regional tourism by drawing more visitors to attractions like Presque Isle State Park and Lake Erie Wine Country.
Statewide Impact of the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law
This grant is part of the broader federal investment in Pennsylvania’s infrastructure. The Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law has supported significant projects statewide, including the Montgomery Locks modernization and the Pennsylvanian Rail Corridor, both critical to improving transportation and creating jobs. These projects, alongside Erie’s airport improvements, ensure that Pennsylvania benefits from modern infrastructure and sustainable growth.
