Maryland Congressional Delegation Members Announce Over $30 Million for Infrastructure Upgrades at Maryland Airports

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Johnny Olszewski, Sarah Elfreth, and April McClain Delaney and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (all D-Md.) announced $33,931,039 in federal funding to support infrastructure and equipment upgrades at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Carroll County Regional Airport, and Hagerstown Regional Airport. The investments will fund important safety improvements at all three airports, as well as upgraded equipment and an evaluation of the noise exposure at BWI, including its impact on surrounding communities, which members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address in April.

“As Maryland continues to grow, we must ensure our airports have the infrastructure and equipment they need to operate safely, efficiently, and effectively,” said Congressman Olszewski. “This funding will strengthen our aviation infrastructure and help ensure these facilities can continue serving our communities and the rest of the nation. I was proud to work with Team Maryland to help deliver these critical investments.”  

“Maryland’s airports are economic engines, serving travelers and businesses across the region and around the world. That’s why we worked to deliver these investments in important updates to BWI, Carroll County Regional, and Hagerstown Regional airports. These federal funds will help ensure these airports meet important safety standards, and, at BWI, will support efforts to address local communities’ noise concerns,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Our airports here in Maryland fuel our economy, connect us to the rest of the world, and support our businesses. I am proud to partner with my colleagues to announce over $33 million in federal funding to upgrade the infrastructure at three of our airports. Modernizing our infrastructure is an investment in our future and in our safety – I’m glad we are getting this done,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

“Airports are not simply places where flights arrive and depart – they are engines of opportunity, connecting people to jobs, businesses to customers, communities to global markets, and regions to long-term economic growth,” said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. “Each of Maryland’s airports, including the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport here in the Third Congressional District, has played a critical role in the growth of our communities, our state, and our nation. I was grateful to work with Team Maryland to secure this much-needed $21 million investment for BWI that will evaluate noise exposure for our neighbors and ensure the safety of worldwide travelers,” said Congresswoman Elfreth.

Maryland’s airports and aviation industry are crucial for trade and business. Thanks to the hard work of Team Maryland, our congressional offices secured more than $30 million to make our airports safer, more accessible, and more efficient. These investments will provide Hagerstown Regional Airport with the funds necessary to make improvements to its 2/20 runway and adjacent building infrastructure—critical safety upgrades needed to fully comply with FAA guidance,” said Congresswoman McClain Delaney.

The federal funding has been announced as follows:

• $21,091,172 to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to support an evaluation of noise exposure at the airport and surrounding areas as well as the reconstruction of 110,000 square yards of the existing North Cargo Apron pavement and installation of low-emission equipment, including five gate electrification systems and remote ground power units.
• $7,609,500 to Carroll County Regional Airport to shift Runway 16/34 by 250 feet to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.
• $5,230,367 to Hagerstown Regional Airport to remove a building and relocate fencing identified as obstructive by the Federal Aviation Administration. The funding will also help the airport rehabilitate lighting and 3000 feet of pavement on Runway 2/20 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris.

These investments are provided through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Senator Van Hollen worked to fund the AIP through the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which authorized $4 billion a year for Fiscal Years 2025 through 2028.

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