On Tuesday, June 4^th, 2024, Harrisburg International Airport was pleased to host U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as we provided him on three important airport projects funded by the bipartisan infrastructure bill.  He also recorded an interview with CNBC’s Scott Wapner near the cargo airport construction site.  

In 2023, the Airport Authority received $9 million from the Airport Infrastructure Grant portion of the infrastructure law for projects at all four of its airports.  The largest grant totaled $8.6 million and is funding a portion of the ongoing cargo apron expansion project at HIA that will be completed by Thanksgiving 2025.  This project improves airport stormwater management while adding 5 acres of cargo apron for use by an additional four large wide-body cargo aircraft.  

Also in 2023, the Airport Authority received $6.4 million from the Airport Terminal Program portion of the infrastructure law to upgrade the airport’s 20-year-old in-line checked bag handling system.  Once completed in July 2025, the system will operate with the latest operating software, new fiberoptic cabling and more energy efficient motors.  The system is capable of screening 800 bags an hour.  

In 2024, the Airport Authority received $7.5 million from the Airport Terminal Program portion of the infrastructure law to replace six of the airport’s 12-passenger boarding bridges.  Over the past few years, the authority has refurbished and replaced three of its 20-year-old bridges.  This grant provides the opportunity for complete replacement of six of the remaining nine bridges, and funds new energy efficient heating and cooling units on all 12-bridges to reduce operating and future maintenance costs.

“We’ve been working on portions of these project over the past few years, however, with these grants, we are now able to complete each project more quickly and efficiently so our tenants can continue to provide a reliable, safe and comfortable travel experience at HIA,”  said executive director Timothy Edwards.  

Pennsylvania Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams, City of Harrisburg’s Director of Business Development Jason Graves, SARAA Board members Bill Leonard and Nelva Wright, and a representative from U.S. Senator Robert Casey’s office also participated on the tour.