Richland, WA – Port of Benton has received $3,156,583 in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Funding through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) intended to provide electrical, lighting, and guidance system upgrades at the Richland Airport.

To participate in the FAA Airport Improvement Program, the Port must identify the projects in the airport master plan. At its August 18, 2021 meeting, the Port of Benton Commission accepted FAA grant funds for the replacement of existing medium intensity runway lighting and electrical room modifications. This follows a prior award from FAA in June 2021 for lighting design, and implements the full project scope.

These improvements allow for replacement of electrical and lighting equipment, as well as airport guidance equipment, that is decades old and are years beyond their useful life. The current Richland Airport Master Plan update is currently underway to identify potential projects and amenities for the future. Community input is an essential part of this process, and the feedback received was focused on providing for airport safety, increased area for aeronautical activities, and future runway extension. The plan must also consider existing barriers to grant assurance compliance and highest and best use of future expansion areas.

Design is currently underway for the current lighting and electrical replacement project and construction is planned for June – December 2022, depending upon availability of equipment and materials.

Previous updates to the Richland Airport as a result of the Airport Improvement Program federal grants included:

• Airport runway lighting design
• Airfield pavement rehabilitation, crack seal/fog seal
• Additional taxilanes and hangar sites
• Additional land purchase and obstruction removal

For information about the Richland Airport Master Plan, or about these grant improvements, please contact the Port of Benton at 509-375-3060. Click Here for more information on the Richland and Prosser Airports.