HANOVER TWP., LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — Days after celebrating its new $35 million connector bridge, Lehigh Valley International Airport officials got more good news.
On Wednesday, the state Transportation Department announced that more than $1.6 million in state funds will be invested into LVIA.
- Less than a week after celebrating its new $35 million connector bridge, LVIA will receive additional funding for more projects
- $1.6 million in state funding will be invested into the airport
- The money will be used to continue construction of a northside parallel taxiway at the airport, officials said
The investment comes from $10 million in state funding awarded to public use airports for facility improvements, infrastructure preservation and development.
"Our airports are gateways to local economies in the Commonwealth, providing Pennsylvania communities with thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic benefit each year"PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll
“Our airports are gateways to local economies in the Commonwealth, providing Pennsylvania communities with thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic benefit each year,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said in a release.
“This state support will improve our airports, make our infrastructure more resilient and stimulate regional business."
LVIA will use the funds to continue the construction of a northside parallel taxiway, officials said.
According to PennDOT, the taxiway will provide access to the expanding cargo development on the northern side of the airport.
Record cargo
Coming off a record-setting year for air cargo in 2022, with 237,945,266 pounds processed, LVIA has been on pace for a similar outcome for cargo processed through the airport in 2023.
"ABE continues to process record breaking air cargo volumes and serves as a critical conduit for the movement of goods in the Northeast corridor," said Thomas R. Stoudt, Executive Director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
"This funding is a part of the long term plan for operational growth and will also help enhance the current infrastructure at the airport for cargo, commercial and general aviation operations," he said.
Its latest numbers show about 22 million pounds of air cargo was processed in June — an increase of 25.8% from June 2022.
In 2021, LNAA chose a Virginia-based company to plan and develop facilities to handle the growing amount of air cargo.
Aviation Facilities Company Management was tasked with reviewing LVIA’s need for facilities to handle the cargo, Stoudt said at the time.
The review included areas for trucks to park and unload and deal with the increase in freight movement.
The area around the airport has become a burgeoning area for warehousing and distribution centers, serving FedEx Ground, Amazon and more.
