One of Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport’s two main runways is in line for a multimillion-dollar facelift, with airport officials saying BWI will receive more than $62 million in federal funding to rehab aging tarmac and equipment.
The cash is part of a $1.776 billion package the U.S. Department of Transportation announced on July 2 that sends upgrades to runways, taxiways and terminals at airports across the country. At BWI, the work will focus on one of the airport’s two principal runways and will include resurfacing, upgraded sensors and replacement of older runway lights with LED fixtures designed to cut maintenance needs and boost safety.
In a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy cast the grants as part of America’s 250th celebration and said, “We’re ushering in the Golden Age of Transportation and rebuilding our airport infrastructure is critical to making that vision a reality.” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford added that the awards are intended to “modernize the travel experience” and make airports safer for travelers and families.
What's funded at BWI
State documents put the Runway 10/28 rehabilitation at roughly $77 to $78 million in total, with federal grants expected to cover most of the bill and Maryland funds filling the gap, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation. Bids for the project were received in January 2026.
Those materials outline a full refresh of Runway 10/28, including new pavement, LED runway edge and centerline lights, and updated runway surface sensors. Officials caution that the work could force evening closures of Runway 10/28 from August through October 2026 so crews can finish intersection and resurfacing jobs.
Timeline and traveler impact
The federal award for BWI clocks in at about $62.4 million and is earmarked to rehabilitate runway pavement and install new lighting, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The same nationwide package steers additional money to several smaller Maryland airports: Crisfield-Somerset Municipal is set to receive $351,000, Easton $5.6 million, Ocean City $5.4 million and Salisbury $1.7 million.
Why it matters locally
Airport and state officials say the BWI upgrades are meant to cut back on emergency closures and reduce long-term maintenance costs by replacing decades-old runway surfaces and lighting systems. The Baltimore Banner reports that Maryland’s total haul in this round of grants is roughly $77 million, with the BWI runway work accounting for most of that federal support.
Travelers are being urged to keep an eye on airline and airport advisories as construction approaches, since temporary runway closures can ripple into gate changes and schedule shifts. State and airport officials say the aim is to keep the airfield in a state of good repair and avoid the kind of unplanned shutdowns that can quickly snowball into widespread delays.
