State Senator Lisa Boscola and State Rep. Jeanne McNeill have announced that Lehigh Valley International Airport has been awarded $1,778,500 to continue its terminal connector and security checkpoint expansion project.

“I’m pleased to announce the awarding of these state funds to further assist Lehigh Valley International Airport with their project to provide for a new checkpoint with four lanes that will enhance safety standards and allow LVIA to better serve travelers,” Boscola said. “Lehigh Valley International Airport is an important economic engine for the Lehigh Valley and our Commonwealth and this state investment will allow them to build upon its economic impact.”

The over $30 million Security Checkpoint and Terminal Connector project will provide the Commonwealth’s 4th largest airport serving our 3rd largest economy with much needed increase in capacity for TSA checkpoints; and therefore, increased safety for passengers, crew and airport staff. Currently, LVIA only has two checkpoints, which do not meet TSA safety standards.

The funding was announced as part of $10 million in grant funding to 12 Pennsylvania airports to assist them with infrastructure and equipment upgrades. Funding for these projects are made through PennDOT’s Aviation Transportation Assistance Program. The goal of the funding is to expand aviation-related operational and economic opportunities statewide.

The commonwealth is currently home to 124 airports, heliports and seaplane bases, which ranks Pennsylvania as 16th in the United States in number of public-use aviation facilities.

“There’s no denying the vital role LVIA plays in the Lehigh Valley’s economic future,” McNeill said. “This investment, when in total only $10 million was awarded across the Commonwealth, underscores the importance our airport has -- not just to meeting the growing demands of the travel industry, but to meeting the demands of other industries located throughout this region.”

According to McNeill, LVIA was one of 12 airports to receive an award, funded through PennDOT’s Aviation Transportation Assistance Program. PennDOT administers four grant programs for airport development: the federal Block Grant Program, the state Aviation Development Program, the state Capital Budget/Transportation Assistance Program, and the Real Estate Tax Reimbursement Program, which collectively invest approximately $35 million annually into airport development.

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