WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FAA has started spending the first $1 billion of an allocated $5 billion on the nation’s air traffic control system.
The funding — made possible through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — will “sustain, repair or replace hundreds of buildings and pieces of equipment that make flying in the United States the safest in the world,” FAA officials said.
The FAA controls more than 5 million square miles of airspace in the U.S. and more than 24 million square miles over oceans. The air traffic system includes hundreds of towers at airports and terminal approach control facilities. It also includes 22 centers handling aircraft at high altitudes, FAA officials explained.
“There’s a great deal of work needed to reduce the backlog of sustainment work, upgrades, and replacement of buildings and equipment needed to operate our nation’s airspace safely,” said FAA Deputy Administrator A. Bradley Mims.
So What’s Planned for the $1 Billion?
Replace Towers: Pay for design, site evaluation, and preparation for the first air traffic control towers that will be replaced over the coming years. Many of the towers selected will be located at regional and smaller airports, FAA officials noted.
Improve Towers and Approach & Departure Facilities: More than 50% of the FAA’s towers and TRACON facilities are over 40 years old. Funding will pay for new elevators, plumbing systems, and supporting infrastructure.
Reinforce Navigation, Weather & Tracking Equipment: The FAA uses a host of communications, surveillance, weather and navigation systems to guide aircraft safely. It will complete the backlog of supporting infrastructure sustainment projects to keep these systems reliable.
Long-Range Radars: Renovate or replace the supporting infrastructure at long-range radar sites, which are critical to tracking flights between airports.
Enroute Flight Centers: Update and repair the country’s 22 Air Route Traffic Control Centers that handle aircraft flying at high altitudes.
Security: Upgrade security systems at all FAA staffed facilities. Upgrades include those for guardhouses, visitor parking, fencing, perimeter hardening, window blast protection, and lighting.
For more information go to FAA.gov.