AASHTO Journal - State DOTs Support Aviation with Airport Investments

Across the country, state departments of transportation are making a wide array of investments in airport infrastructure as part of their broader support for the U.S. aviation sector.

[Above photo by NYSDOT]

The New York State Department of Transportation recently invested $18.5 million from the state’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition program established three years ago to help “transform” the Sullivan County International Airport into a modern travel facility.

That project, which began in May 2023, created a modern, 15,000-square-foot, energy-efficient terminal facility for the airport that will provide a welcoming experience for visitors, local businesses and community members alike.

“The improvements we have made to the Sullivan County International Airport will improve the passenger experience, serve as a modern community meeting space for local residents, and create a positive and lasting impression of the Catskills as a great place to live, work and visit,” noted NYSDOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez in a statement.

[Editor’s note: The NYSDOT also recently provided an inside look on how it manages the Republic Airport in a recent episode of its ‘The DOT POD” podcast series.]

The Arizona Department of Transportation recently completed a $12 million runway rehabilitation project for the Grand Canyon National Park Airport; reconfiguring a key taxiway intersection, refreshing apron markings and updating signage to meet current Federal Aviation Administration standards.

Work was completed in just over two months, with careful coordination to minimize impacts on airport operations, tenants and travelers.

Funded primarily by an FAA Airport Improvement Program grant with matching funds from the state, the Arizona DOT said in a statement that this project “demonstrates Arizona’s commitment to maintaining premier aviation infrastructure that enhances the experience for travelers.”

Matthew Munden, Arizona DOT’s aeronautics group manager, noted funding for such projects is part of the agency’s broader effort to support community airports across the state.

“Publicly owned and operated airports in Arizona provide one of the largest flight instruction networks among states and provide a cornerstone for the tourism industry,” he explained in a separate statement. “Community airports also support personal and business travel, medical flights, law enforcement, fire suppression, recreation, agriculture, and environmental conservation.”

The Colorado Department of Transportation supported a similar runway project for the Jackson County Airport in Walden, CO; helping the airport rebuild its 5,900-foot runway from the ground up, providing a stronger pavement base, improved surface, and upgraded safety markings.

“As the primary airport for rural north-central Colorado, this new runway will allow the airport to continue to provide safe and efficient access for aerial firefighting operations, emergency air ambulance and other critical aviation services,” noted Shoshana Lew, Colorado DOT’s executive director, in a statement.

And the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) recently awarded more than $2 million in state grants to support improvement projects at 27 local airports.

The grants are part of ALDOT’s Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program that provides financial assistance and technical support to public-use airports across the state. Eligible projects may include land acquisition, runway upgrades, facility repairs, plus maintenance and operational improvements.

“Local airports are critical to connecting our communities and supporting Alabama’s economy,” said Frank Farmer, bureau chief of ALDOT’s Aeronautics Bureau, in a statement. “This funding helps strengthen infrastructure, improve safety, and support essential air services in all parts of the state.”

State DOTs also hold award contests to showcase the accomplishments of airports within their regions.

For example, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development recently named the 2025 winners of the Louisiana Airport of the Year, award David Slayter Memorial Aviation Professional of the Year award, and Allen Taylor Legacy awards at the annual Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates Annual Conference in early October.

And the Illinois Department of Transportation recently gave awards to six state airports in recognition of their commitment to customer safety and satisfaction, facility maintenance, and promotion of aviation.

“Our airports connect us to the world, one of the many reasons why Illinois is the transportation hub of North America,” said Illinois DOT Secretary Gia Biagi in a statement. “These awards highlight their efforts as well as those of the entire Illinois aviation community.”