The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority (SMAA) a $7 million grant for two upcoming projects at the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ). The first project includes the purchase and installation of 13 new loading bridges to replace the existing 28-year-old bridges. The $12 million jet bridge project will be climate-controlled and have updated ground power and air conditioning capabilities. The second project funded by this grant will go toward the creation of a Runway Incursion Mitigation (RIM) program that will provide safety improvements to the airport’s taxiways. Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2018 with the airport and FDOT providing the remaining funds. The grant is part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), a national FAA program funded by user fees on airline tickets and aviation fuel.

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport