Courtney Announces First Round of Infrastructure Funding for Eastern CT Regional Airports Under New Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced the first round of infrastructure funding for eastern Connecticut regional airports under the new, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Under the bipartisan IIJA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will provide the Danielson Airport, the Groton-New London Airport, and the Windham Airport with a total of $612,000 to help complete and make way for some of their most important projects—like improving snow removal capabilities, and preparing facilities for future airfield upgrades and expansions that will be made with the help of continued IIJA funding in the years ahead.

Courtney voted to pass the IIJA on November 5^th, and the bill included substantial reinvestments in America's aging airports—including $15 billion specifically for airport improvements through the FAA Airport Infrastructure Grants. Under the new bipartisan infrastructure law, eastern Connecticut's regional airports will continue to receive increased FAA investments through FY 2026.

"The CAA is very pleased to receive this much-needed funding from the federal infrastructure bill, and we thank Congressman Courtney for his leadership and support of this important legislation. This new, federal infrastructure funding will provide for safety enhancements and airside infrastructure improvements at Groton-New London Airport, Windham Airport, and Danielson Airport, and we are very appreciative of this historic investment in Connecticut's airports," said Kevin Dillon, Executive Director of the Connecticut Airport Authority.

"This is great news for our regional airports in Willimantic, Danielson, and Groton, and for all the local businesses and workers who utilize them," said Congressman Courtney. "Our regional airports are responsible for helping eastern Connecticut businesses from the Quiet Corner to the Shoreline produce millions of dollars in economic output each year, and now funding through our bipartisan infrastructure bill is going to help them grow and become even more efficient—that means increased economic activity, more output, and more jobs. From increased runway capacity to overdue tarmac upgrades, our local airports have a list of projects they're ready to get started on, and the new infrastructure bill means they can finally gear up and get going. Great to see the wheels moving forward for them and for eastern Connecticut."

Under the first year of the new bipartisan infrastructure law, the Danielson Airport in Killingly, CT and the Willimantic Airport in Windham, CT will each receive $158,000 in FAA Airport Infrastructure Grants. Both airports plan to utilize FY 22 funding to acquire easements necessary as part of obstruction removal projects, which will clear the way for airfield improvements and expansions in the years ahead as the IIJA continues to provide increased infrastructure funding.

The Groton-New London Airport, located in Groton, CT, will receive $296,000 in FAA Airport Infrastructure Grants under the first year of the IIJA. In FY 2022, the airport plans to utilize funding to purchase new equipment to improve snow removal capabilities, improving safety and increasing efficiency.

Highlights of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal

Roads, Bridges, and Eastern Connecticut Infrastructure Projects

In Connecticut, there are 248 bridges and over 2,100 miles of highway in poor condition. In 2018, the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers graded the state's overall infrastructure at a disappointing C-, while wastewater and roads were graded at a dismal D+.

The IIJA invests in new funding for roads, bridges, and major projects. The bill is projected to result in a $1.2 billion, or 32% increase in Connecticut's annual federal highway and transit funding over the next five years, as compared to 2017-2021. The bill enables states and municipalities to target resources towards their most important local infrastructure projects, with a focus on resiliency, safety, and climate change. In eastern Connecticut, these projects include important infrastructure like repairs to the Gold Star Bridge, construction of a new train platform in Enfield, upgrades and repairs to the historic Haddam Swing Bridge, upgrades to the I-84/I-91 interchange in Hartford, and lots more.

Improvements to Water Infrastructure

In 2018, the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers graded the state's roads and wastewater infrastructure at a D+. Over the next 20 years, Connecticut's drinking water infrastructure is projected to require $4 billion in additional funding.

The IIJA would eliminate America's lead service lines and pipes, address wastewater repair backlogs, and contains new resources help communities in eastern Connecticut protect clean drinking water for decades to come.

• Improving Local Drinking Water and Wastewater Facilities—increases resources for states over the next five years to support the construction or improvement of local drinking water and wastewater facilities, to replace lead drinking water pipes, and to remove or reduce emerging contaminates in drinking water, like PFAS "forever chemicals"
• Increasing Resiliency Against Climate Change and Drought—provides new resources to improve water infrastructure relied on by the western United States, and for the Army Corps of Engineers to address water project backlogs, including projects damaged by natural disasters

Broadband and High-Speed Internet

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted just how important broadband and high-speed internet access is to rural communities. However, a 2018 survey found that 23% of Connecticut residents did not have internet access.

The IIJA makes historic and long-awaited investments over the next five years to improve access to broadband in underserved communities, and to fund improvements to America's cybersecurity capabilities.

• USDA Rural Broadband—authorizes new resources for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to greatly expand rural broadband services
• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program—creates a new program for states to deploy high-speed internet services to houses and businesses in underserved areas that lack service
• Internet Service for Low-Income Households—makes permanent a CARES Act program that helps low-income households access internet service, and expands the program to reach a larger number of American households

Public Transit and Railways

The IIJA would help expand public transit routes and cut down on commuting time. It would provide a 41% increase in the state's mass transit fund, enabling improvements in rail service, safety, speed, and accommodations that have been out of reach for decades.

In addition to providing more resources to state mass transit funds, the IIJA authorizes new programs for the next five years that will:

• Make improvements to Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and National Network. In particular, it will ensure long-overdue replacement of the Old Saybrook Rail Bridge, which is 114 years old.
• Support the development of new intercity passenger rail routes
• Help replace aging railway vehicles and railcars
• Improve access to rail transit systems for Americans with disabilities
• Support safety improvements to passenger and freight rail services

Electric Vehicles

The IIJA supports America's transition to renewable energy, ensures our energy independence, and reduces our dependence on fossil fuels. Investing in nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure through the IIJA will make driving electric vehicles a more convenient and feasible choice—in addition to a smart one.

The IIJA contains several provisions to improve America's EV capabilities and infrastructure, including:

• Electric Charging and Fueling Infrastructure—authorizes new grant funding over five years to support the deployment of infrastructure for charging electric vehicles that use alternative fuels. These grants must be used to deploy EV charging infrastructure that is open to the general public, work for multiple brands of vehicles, and located along designated alternative fuel corridors
• Clean and Zero Emission School Buses—authorizes a new grant program to help replace existing school buses with clean, zero-emissions school buses.
• Electric and Low-Emission Ferries—creates a new pilot program to provide grants to purchase electric or low-emitting ferries, and to electrify or otherwise reduce emissions from existing ferries

Airports, Ports, and Waterways

For a region with a rich and historic maritime culture and economy, the IIJA would mean transformative improvements to our waterways and coastal infrastructure. The bill also contains new resources to make improvements at airports across the country.

• Port Infrastructure Development—new resources to improve America's ports, with a focus on projects that improve the resiliency of ports to address sea-level rise, flooding, and extreme weather events
• Airport Improvements—authorizes a five-year reauthorization of the Airport Improvement Program, as well as new funding to repair and upgrade American airport terminals, air traffic control towers, and other facilities and equipment

###