Skip to content
Business
Link copied to clipboard

Philly airport gets $16.5 million federal grant for runway improvements

The funds from the Federal Aviation Administration will go toward extending PHL's main east-west runway.

Runway extension at Philadelphia International Airport in May 2017.
Runway extension at Philadelphia International Airport in May 2017.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer

Philadelphia International Airport will receive a $16.5 million federal grant to extend its main east-west runway from 10,500 feet to 12,000 feet. When it is completed, the runway, known as 9-Right, 27-Left, will be one of the longest on the East Coast.

On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration announced $282.6 million in infrastructure grants to 67 airports in 29 states. So far this year, the U.S. Transportation Department has awarded 1,428 grants worth $2.3 billion for upgrades to airport runways, taxiways, signage, and lighting.

The FAA said the latest grants will be issued in the next few weeks to take advantage of the summer construction season.