Westchester County Airport is expected to receive $18 million in federal funding toward air traffic control upgrades. The major investment was announced Monday, June 22, during a visit from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17).
The officials toured the airport alongside Westchester Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald and airport leadership to review ongoing infrastructure projects and discuss the airport’s future needs. Duffy formally announced the funding package, which is aimed at improving safety, reliability and efficiency at the airport.
The funding will come from the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which Congress passed last year and included a $12.5 billion investment to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system.
Over the course of two years, the upgrades will include the installation of a brand-new surface awareness initiative, replace IP voice switches and install a tower simulation system. It will also go toward transition paper flight strips to electronic flight strips and replace radars and displays for controllers.
Officials emphasize impact of investment in Westchester airport
Duffy said that some of the airport’s existing equipment is more than 60 years old. While emphasizing that the current system remains safe, he said modernization is necessary to ensure controllers have access to the advanced tools needed to manage air traffic efficiently.
“The Trump Administration is investing in travel hubs small and large to ensure our air traffic controllers have the state-of-the-art equipment they deserve. Servicing over 170,000 flights annually, Westchester Airport is an important hub for both commercial flights and general aviation just outside of New York City,” Duffy said.
Lawler said the investment will strengthen the region’s aviation infrastructure while supporting economic growth and job creation throughout the Hudson Valley.
“Airports like Westchester County Airport are vital transportation hubs for communities throughout the country, connecting families, businesses and visitors, while supporting commerce, tourism and emergency services throughout their regions,” Lawler said.
Westchester County responds to federal announcement
In an email to The Journal News Tuesday, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins pushed back on the framing of the announcement and said the funds are not being provided to the county itself.
“While we always welcome our Federal partners to Westchester County Airport (HPN), and appreciate the federal government’s decision to finally invest in its own aviation infrastructure, we want to be clear with Congressman Mike Lawler and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, that these are not federal dollars being provided to Westchester County to maintain or modernize HPN,” Jenkins said.
He explained that these funds are being used by the Federal Aviation Administration to repair and upgrade its own federally operated air traffic control tower.
“No money is coming to Westchester County as part of this announcement,” Jenkins added. “Put simply, the federal government is investing in federal infrastructure that, by their own admission, has been neglected for far too long.”
Jenkins also emphasized that Westchester County Airport is a safe and well-managed airport. He noted that any concerns regarding aging air traffic control systems lie with the federal government, which owns, operates and is solely responsible for maintaining the tower.
“Westchester County is always appreciative of federal financial support, and has consistently done its part to maintain and improve the airport facilities under its control. The announcement by Lawler and Duffy should not be celebrated as a gift to Westchester County,” Jenkins said.
(This story was updated with new information.)
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester County Airport to receive $18 million in federal upgrades
Reporting by Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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By Michelle Grisales, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
