INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis International Airport has received one of the largest grants from the FAA to finish a runway and taxiway project.
The $26.6 million grant brings the federal investment in the project up to $146 million.
The airport is strengthening one of its runways and a taxiway. The airport says this will improve capacity for both cargo and commercial passenger flights at the airport.
“This project is a significant investment in the future of aviation operations at IND – and is crucial to maintaining the public value of the airport,” said Mario Rodriguez, IAA executive director.
The overall investment in the project, including federal grants, is $295 million. That includes adding LED lights to the runway and taxiway to save on energy.
The project has earned attention for its sustainability. It is the first runway project in the world to earn the Envision Platinum Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. That award highlights the runway's contribution to ecological sustainability, climate resiliency, and its contributions to the local economy.
The airport says the project has created more than 3,200 jobs over the three years it has run.
The runway is about two miles long and 150 feet wide. Most of the cargo flights to the airport land on it, on top of many commercial passenger flights.
The Indianapolis International Airport has been named the best airport in its class for 12 years running.
