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Image provided by Rep. Wild’s office
Rep. Wild secured $5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and $600,000 in FY23 Community Project Funding for ABE’s TSA Checkpoint and Terminal Connector project
ALLENTOWN, P.A. – Today, Congresswoman Susan Wild celebrated the completion of the Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE)’s terminal modernization project, joining U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Lehigh Valley-Northampton Airport Authority Executive Director Thomas Stoudt, and other leaders and community members at the TSA Checkpoint and Terminal Connector Unveiling.
This project was made possible by federal investments that Rep. Wild worked to deliver for the Lehigh Valley: $5 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and $600,000 in Community Project Funding that Rep. Wild pushed to bring to ABE. Last year, Rep. Wild and Secretary Buttigieg toured the project in progress. Now, ABE’s modernization and expansion is the first projects to be funded, constructed, and finally completed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“The Lehigh Valley International Airport serves as a critical economic driver for our community, providing jobs, bringing visitors, and connecting our thriving local economy to the rest of the nation and world,” said Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07). “It’s one of the first projects to be funded, constructed, and now completed by the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – and I’m proud to see these investments in ABE that I worked to deliver getting off the ground to modernize our airport infrastructure and support the Lehigh Valley economy.”
“Last year, this was among the first projects we funded through the new Airport Terminal Program under President Biden’s historic infrastructure law—which, of course, passed thanks to so many dedicated leaders like Senator Casey and Representative Wild. And now that it’s complete, passengers here will be able to quickly get through security and get to their gate, which means a faster, easier experience for everyone,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.
“Federal, state, and local officials worked together to get this done – and I’m proud to be here on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to celebrate the opening of this new terminal and TSA checkpoint here at the Lehigh Valley International Airport. This expansion should send a clear message that Allentown and the Lehigh Valley are ready to drive innovation and economic opportunity on a national and global scale,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Our Commonwealth was a major supporter of this project, investing nearly 13 million dollars in this expansion. We are going to support your continued growth and help the Lehigh Valley compete, not just across the nation but around the world – and this new terminal will be the gateway to that progress.”
“This terminal modernization project is the very first construction project I visited that was funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA). “This law is the largest long-term investment in our infrastructure and competitiveness in nearly a century. The Lehigh Valley is already reaping the benefits of much-needed dollars for important projects.”
About Federal Investments in the ABE’s Modernization:
This project is funded in part by the Airport Terminal Program, one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that Rep. Wild fought to pass. The law provides a $5 billion investment in airports to be made over the next five years to address the aging infrastructure of America’s airports. ABE received $5 million of this Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding in July 2022 for construction of a new four lane TSA checkpoint.
Rep. Wild successfully delivered $600,000 of further federal investment through FY23 Community Project Funding for the TSA Checkpoint and Terminal Connector project – specifically, the acquisition and installation of public circulation control devices.
The Lehigh Valley International Airport’s TSA Checkpoint and Terminal Connector project includes a new 4-lane TSA checkpoint to help improve wait times and expand operating capacity. The project addresses critical operational needs so more people can safely travel through the airport – and increasing the footprint of passengers traveling through our region means fueling local economic growth and allowing the Lehigh Valley to soar to greater heights as a transportation and economic hub on the Eastern seaboard.
Information provided to TVL by:
Katie Smith
