Boston Logan International Airport is in line to receive $12 million from the Biden administration to fund the expansion and renovation of the existing air traffic control tower with new equipment and facilities, the White House announced Thursday morning.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Logan Airport is one of more than 100 airports across 44 states slated to receive a portion of $970 million in grants for terminal projects. The White House pitched the dollars as a way to boost air travel during a turbulent time for the industry.
“Another part of that better travel experience is to invest in our physical infrastructure, to improve the airports that represent the beginning and end of every passenger’s journey, and airports that are a key economic engine for workers who show up there every day, and communities that rely on those airports to sustain their connectedness and their competitiveness,” Buttigieg said at a briefing ahead of the announcement.
The $12 million for Logan will fund phase one of a two-part project to rework the existing airport traffic control tower, according to the White House. That includes the construction of a new space to accommodate existing and new Federal Aviation Administration equipment, technical operations, a flight simulator, and a contract weather observer.
“We’re excited about … the bigger project there in Boston,” Buttigieg said of the grant dollars for Massachusetts.
The money is on top of the $62 million Biden shuttled to Logan for the Terminal E overhaul that was completed late last year. That project added four international gates, a 500,000 square-foot addition to the terminal, and upgraded emergency efficiency measures.
Improvements made as part of the grants released Thursday include wider concourses, better baggage systems, additional gates, and ensuring airports meet accessibility requirements, according to the White House.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Natalie Quillian said airport investments will help meet the growing demand for air travel and builds on the dollars handed out through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Biden signed in November 2021.
“As of today, we have now announced $3 billion to modernize airport terminals across the country. Some of these projects are already complete, like the upgrades to expand Terminal E at Boston Logan International Airport, and many more projects are underway,” she said at the briefing.
The Fort Lauderdale‐Hollywood International Airport will receive $50 million, the most of any of the 114 airports on tap to receive grant dollars, though it is far lower than the $145 million Florida officials requested.
The funds partially back a portion of a terminal connector project, which “will complete post-security connectivity between all terminals in the airport,” the White House said in a statement.
“The project consists of the construction of two connector walkways and modifications to the existing terminals including enhanced security checkpoints, a renovated bag hall, an expanded holdroom, and additional retail space,” the White House said.