TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa International Airport just scored a $5 million federal grant which they say will be used for infrastructure and resiliency projects to make sure that planes can keep flying even when the airport is threatened by a major storm.
Landing these Airport Improvement Program grants doesn't happen every day, or every year for that matter.
“You know the airport has to be ready to help in any way it can after an emergency,” said Joshua Gillin, Senior Communications Manager at TPA.
The first project is $2.1 million to purchase and install a temporary flood barrier which can be moved into place to protect TPA's generators and sensitive electronic equipment from storm surge and flooding.
It’s estimated the barrier would be five to 10 feet above the floor level, to make sure the lights stay on. Especially the runway lights.
“We will go assemble those in the event that we were preparing for a hurricane,” said Gillin, “And it would keep them safe and prevent water from intruding into those buildings.”
10 Tampa Bay Aviation Expert Mark Weinkrantz, a former Commercial Airline Pilot, says the other project involves runway, taxiway and other infrastructure maintenance which is critical for maintaining efficiency, and safety.
“Runways and taxiways, like roadways, wear out after getting a lot of use,” Weinkrantz said. “And the last thing you want are pieces of concrete flaking off the surface that can get into adjusted into an engine and destroy an aircraft.”
Passengers and travelers say they appreciate the money being used to harden the airport’s resiliency.
“I think it's good because we're in Florida. We get a lot of hurricane and natural disasters,” said Samaria Gonzalez, “So, I think it's important to keep everyone safe on the runways.”
“Any amount of money to our critical infrastructure is for the best,” said Pierce Valdes.
The grant is funded by travelers with a small portion of ticket costs which go toward federal taxes. That money is then redistributed through the FAA for these types of maintenance and improvement projects.
TPA says it's already in the planning stages and should have the work completed in 2026.
These projects fall under the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
As part of the same grant application, Tampa Executive Airport also received nearly $2.5 million to help with runway and ramp maintenance projects.