Rhode Island's congressional delegation secured $10M in federal funding for upgrades at T.F. Green International Airport in Providence. The renovations will modernize the terminal, enhance passenger experience, improve energy efficiency, and accommodate increased traffic as the airport continues to grow.
T.F. Green International Airport (PVD) in Providence, R.I., will be getting some new interior upgrades and gates in its passenger terminal due to the efforts of the state's congressional delegation in Washington, D.C.
In an effort to improve operational efficiency, deliver a unified and modern design, and enhance passenger flow and comfort for the traveling public, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, all Democrats, announced Oct. 24 that the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) has been awarded $10 million in federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to advance renovations and technology upgrades at the airport.
The grant funding was awarded through the FAA's Airport Terminals Program. Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the program provides competitive grants for airport terminal development projects to address older infrastructure at facilities nationwide.
In the case of the Providence airport, the federal monies will be used to modernize PVD's aging terminal infrastructure to sustain current and future air traffic and passenger demands, drive competition and enhance environmental sustainability and energy efficiency, according to a joint new release through Reed's office.
Among the upgrades due to be made to the Providence terminal are backup power and water overhauls to maintain public safety and minimize travel disruptions, improvements to common interior areas, the expansion of seating capacity, traveler experience enhancements and renovating the interior space in the concourse to introduce a "sense of place" by bringing elements of local architecture inside the building.
The new funding also will improve ADA accessibility across all areas of the terminal, and upgrade mechanical systems to meet energy efficiency and smart building goals, the news release noted. Making the upgrades will also accommodate additional increased passenger traffic to allow for continued growth and competition at PVD.
"Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport is an economic engine and the gateway to the Ocean State for many visitors," explained Reed, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "Upgrading the concourse will ensure the airport continues to offer a world-class experience for all and can continue to support a high-volume of traffic.
"This is a forward-looking investment in a crucial piece of public infrastructure," he continued. "It will strengthen not just the airport, but local businesses, tourism and our economy, as well and help accommodate future growth."
Whitehouse, Reed's colleague in the U.S. Senate, added, "Thanks to our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, more investments are on the way to keep improving one of the best, most user-friendly airports in the country. This federal funding will make the terminal more comfortable so that residents and visitors flying out of T.F. Green can enjoy a better overall experience."
More Passengers, Facility Age Is Piloting Upgrades
The original terminal at the Providence airport was constructed in 1993 to support 2.4 million annual enplanements. Today, PVD is on track to exceed that by 1 million passengers over the next five years, and recently announced agreements with several airlines are slated to bring hundreds of new jobs to the airport and connect the airport to even more domestic and international destinations.
As the airport's operations continue to expand and passenger numbers increase, RIAC seeks funding to reconfigure its terminal to meet this demand.
In addition to advocacy from the state's federal delegation, Gov. Dan McKee and the Providence and Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau also supported federal funding to renovate the 30-year-old terminal and allow T. F. Green International Airport to serve the community's growing needs.
For the past several years, RIAC has been preparing for this new era of growth for PVD through the planning and design of the Terminal Reconfiguration project, which aims to ensure that today's aging terminal presents the first and best impression of its state to incoming visitors.
"T.F. Green International Airport is a key part of how Rhode Islanders and our visitors experience memorable moments in our state," noted Amo. "It's where we welcome loved ones when they return from a trip and where we send off our community's heroes when they travel to D.C. for their Honor Flight."
Jonathan N. Savage, board chair of the Rhode Island Airport Corp., said that since the Bruce Sundlin Terminal at PVD was built, it has had a critical impact on transforming and maintaining the local economy in and around Providence.
"This federal investment will provide critical funding for our efforts to modernize our airport terminal to be ready for the next three decades," he added. "We are truly grateful for our Congressional delegation's continued support for Rhode Island's aviation economy."
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