Congressman Gonzalez Announces $16.6 Million FAA Grant for McAllen International Airport

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the McAllen International Airport was awarded two Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) totaling $16,680,726.

The Airport Improvement Program provides grants to public agencies for the planning and development of public-use airports. These federal funds will be used to cover 90 percent of costs for the storm water management system improvements at the McAllen International Airport.

"As the busiest travel hub in the Rio Grande Valley, with more than 2.4 million people passing through the McAllen International Airport annually, our airport is a critical part of the community," said Congressman Gonzalez. "Mass rainfall events in the past several years have strained existing drainage infrastructure, prompting the airport to take preventative steps to improve aging infrastructure. These federal funds will help the airport to continue safe and efficient operations."

"As the McAllen International Airport continues to grow in enplanements and destinations, it is extremely important that we improve the infrastructure for the safety and future growth of not only the airport, but also the surrounding community," said McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. "This FAA Airport Improvement Grant award will allow us to address these projects that will keep the McAllen International Airport safe and competitive and poised for continued expansion."

The proposed project will consist of over 20,000 feet of construction to convert existing drainage detention facilities and irrigation system from an exposed system to an underground system.

Congressman Gonzalez remains a fierce advocate for infrastructure improvements in the Rio Grande Valley and continues to support federal programs that help create jobs and modernize the infrastructure in the region. More information on the Congressman's infrastructure policies is available here.