WARWICK – A planned cargo facility and aircraft parking area at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport has received a $9.2 million federal infusion, according to state leaders.
The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation to the R.I. Airport Corp., will fund the fourth phase of T.F. Green's South Cargo Project. This phase will add 5,800 square yards of additional cargo apron to existing infrastructure, with the completed project amounting to 60,000 square yards total of new cargo apron space.
Under the project, the airport will also relocate its cargo operations from an 80-year-old T.F. Green hangar north of the airport's runways to a site south of the airfield.
Cargo aprons provide space for aircrafts to park during passenger the boarding, loading and unloading, and refueling processes.
The Federal Aviation Administration will administer the funding through its Airport Improvement Program. Under program's guidelines, AIP awards can cover as much as 90% of project costs, with state and local funding needed to close out the remaining 10%.
The state's congressional delegation welcomed the award on Tuesday.
“T.F. Green airport is more than a convenient airport for passengers," Democratic Rep. Seth Magaziner said. It's "also a hub for commerce."
The funding "will help enhance T.F. Green’s cargo operation, creating jobs and expanding the local economy," Magaziner said.
R.I. Airport Corp., a quasi-public corporation, will receive the funding as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is slated to allocate $45 million in federal funding to Rhode Island airports over the course of five years.
Jacquelyn Voghel is a PBN staff writer. You may reach her at Voghel@PBN.com.