Federal aviation dollars are flying into Southern California this week as part of the FAA’s latest Airport Improvement Program awards, and Hollywood-Burbank and Long Beach are among the big local winners. The grants are earmarked for airfield repairs, obstruction mitigation and other safety upgrades, investments that local officials say will refresh aging pavement and help support jobs.
How much and who benefits
The FAA’s July 2 AIP list shows a combined total of about $106.9 million for 16 California airports, roughly $107 million rounded, in the latest funding round. According to FAA records, Long Beach is slated to receive $27,088,053 for taxiway reconstruction, and Hollywood-Burbank is listed with $10,065,295 for obstruction marking, lighting and removal work.
Long Beach: Taxiway F rebuild
Long Beach Airport’s planning documents describe the project as a Taxiway F realignment and reconstruction that will rebuild roughly 4,150 feet of pavement, shift the centerline to improve separation from Runway 26L and upgrade lighting, signage and drainage. The airport’s DBE and goals materials spell out the scope, including pavement dimensions and the expected FAA share, signaling a multi-phase airfield overhaul. See Long Beach Airport documents for project details and estimated FAA participation.
Burbank: Hazard work tied to terminal plans
The FAA entry for Hollywood-Burbank lists the award as “Obstruction Marking/Lighting/Removal (Hazard),” with an entitlement amount of $2,565,295 plus a $7.5 million discretionary allocation for a $10,065,295 total. That work lines up with the airport authority’s terminal-relocation planning, which calls for replacing the existing terminal and a parking structure as part of a broader effort to eliminate airfield obstructions and meet current safety standards.
Officials respond
Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff have praised the funding, saying the investments will shore up California’s transportation system and support employment. Padilla called the awards “critical to support and modernize critical airport infrastructure,” and Schiff said the money will “create more jobs in communities across the Golden State,” as reported by MyNewsLA.
What AIP and federal airport grants cover
The federal Airport Improvement Program and related airport infrastructure grants typically cover runway and taxiway rehabilitation, lighting and signage upgrades, noise mitigation, terminal and roadway work and other safety-related projects. The Department of Transportation has noted that recent rounds of airport grants may also be used for terminal improvements, sustainability measures and safety projects that reduce operational risks and improve the passenger experience.
Officials say these awards are just the first step in a longer process. Projects still have to move through design, environmental review and procurement before construction starts, and timelines will differ from airport to airport. For project updates and community notices, travelers and neighbors are directed to the airports’ websites and the FAA announcement; Long Beach Airport and Hollywood-Burbank both maintain public project materials and schedules online.
