McCarran airport awarded $17M federal grant for upgrades

McCarran International Airport, the nation’s eighth busiest, received a $17 million financial shot in the arm from the federal government to go toward upgrades.

Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao last week announced nearly $800 million in infrastructure funding awarded to U.S. airports, with funds going to McCarran for apron expansion and reconstruction.

The money awarded to McCarran will be used for two projects. The first involves repairing the surface of an aircraft parking area near the former Terminal 2 site. The second calls for upgrades to a nearby gate where surface vehicles — such as delivery trucks or ambulances — are inspected as they move on and off the airfield from the street, airport spokesman Chris Jones said.

The grant total includes $689 million from the Airport Improvement Program and $104.4 million in CARES Act grants. The money is in addition to $10 billion in grants awarded to help airports stay operational during the coronavirus pandemic.

“These 383 grants will allow airport sponsors to either begin or complete construction projects that will maintain the safety and efficiency of our national airport system,” Stephen M. Dickson, administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, said in a statement.

Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.