Funding will improve day-to-day operations, movement of freight
Casey and Wild advocated for funding for the Lehigh Valley project
With this funding, Lehigh Valley International Airport has received over $95 million in federal funding since the start of 2021
In 2023, 275,605,699 pounds of air cargo was processed through ABE
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-7) announced Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) is receiving $40,798,046 in new infrastructure funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The award is from the INFRA (Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects) program, which is bolstered by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“I fought for this funding because Lehigh Valley International Airport is an economic engine that is critical to the success of the region,” said Senator Casey. “Investing in the airport’s freight capacity will create jobs, support Lehigh Valley businesses, and boost the airport’s status as a top transportation hub in Pennsylvania.”
“I am proud to announce this $40 million investment in Lehigh and Northampton Counties’ infrastructure,” said Senator Fetterman. “This grant will help construct a consolidated multimodal cargo facility at Lehigh Valley International Airport that will significantly improve day-to-day operations and the movement of freight, leading to a stronger regional economy.”
“This historic funding will revolutionize the Lehigh Valley International Airport’s ability to process record-breaking amounts of cargo,” said Rep. Susan Wild. “Our region is perfectly situated to be a hub for the transportation of critical products. I look forward to continuing to support investments that grow our local economy and bring new jobs to the Greater Lehigh Valley."
“This funding is critical to helping the Airport Authority address an immediate need for additional air cargo capacity – which has seen approximately an 800% jump since 2014. With the Airport located within the Critical Urban Freight Corridor, we anticipate our numbers will continue to trend upward as the airport is an important conduit to the movement of goods across Pennsylvania and the Northeast Region,” said Executive Director Tom Stoudt. “We are thankful for the strong support from Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, and Congresswoman Wild in securing the INFRA grant, ensuring the airport can have the necessary infrastructure to remain an economic driver for the region and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
The funding for ABE will support the Northside Logistics and Cargo Complex (NLCC) project, which will build new, on-airport cross dock facility, a direct truck-to-aircraft loading apron, and make road and intersection improvements to improve day-to-day operations and movement of freight. Casey, Fetterman, and Wild previously secured infrastructure funding for ABE to expand its security checkpoints and rehabilitate runways.
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