Key Takeaways
• Bellingham International Airport secured $4.5 million federal funds to upgrade 19 airfield signs and meet FAA safety standards.
• Major runway repaving project set for 2025–2030 will cost over $30 million, mostly funded by federal grants.
• Upgrades also include a new $100 million control tower, taxiway realignment, and laying groundwork for direct flights to Mexico.
Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is about to start one of its most important projects in years—a complete overhaul of its main runway. This large step comes after the airport successfully secured federal funding to help pay for these upgrades. The runway project is just one part of an entire plan to make the airport safer, more efficient, and ready for the future. The focus isn’t just on fixing what’s there, but on preparing Bellingham International Airport for more flights, bigger planes, and even new international destinations.
Let’s take a close look at what’s planned, how the funding was secured, why this work matters, and what it means for travelers, airlines, local workers, and the broader community.
Federal Funding Secured for Runway and Signage
The Port of Bellingham, which oversees Bellingham International Airport, has worked hard to find money for these projects. Most recently, they secured $4.5 million in federal funding. This money will pay to replace or rebuild 19 signs on the airfield. These signs guide pilots and planes safely on the ground, and the new ones will meet all current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety rules.
This federal grant comes from the Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, which was set up after the U.S. Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The AIG program is part of a big push by the Biden-Harris Administration to fix and upgrade airports all over the United States 🇺🇸. The AIG awarded nearly $67 million in total to airports in this round of funding. Bellingham International Airport is one of many airports to receive this grant, showing that its upgrades are a priority.
But that’s just the beginning. There’s also a much bigger plan for a complete runway project at Bellingham International Airport. This larger runway overhaul is set to cost over $30 million and will be paid for mostly with federal funding, as well. This long-term effort is scheduled to start in January 2025 and continue through 2030. The amount of money and time involved shows how big and important this work will be for the airport’s future.
You can read more about how these projects are funded and managed on the Federal Aviation Administration website.
What Will Change at the Airport?
The runway project is only one piece of a larger group of planned upgrades at Bellingham International Airport. These improvements are part of the airport’s five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) from 2025 to 2030. The planners used suggestions from the airport’s 2019 Master Plan, which mapped out what needed to be done to keep the airport running well and ready to handle more traffic in the years ahead.
Here are the main upgrades that will take place:
- Runway Repaving ($30+ Million): The largest part of the project. The main runway will get a new surface, making it smoother and safer for every takeoff and landing. Repaving also helps to keep the runway strong, so it can handle bigger planes for longer periods of time. This work will replace the last major resurfacing, which took place in 2010 at a cost of $26 million. That upgrade made it possible for larger jets, such as Boeing 757s, to land safely in Bellingham.
- Airport Traffic Control Tower Replacement ($100+ Million): The current control tower will be replaced with a newer and better-equipped building. The control tower is the “brain” of airport ground operations, guiding every plane as it lands, taxis, and takes off.
- Taxiway Realignment: Planes move between the runway and the terminal using smaller roads called taxiways. Some of these routes will be adjusted so planes can move more safely and quickly.
- New Signs and Markings: Aside from the 19 signs to be replaced using the $4.5 million grant, many other signs and ground markings will be updated to help pilots see clearly and follow routes safely, even at night or in poor weather.
- First Steps Towards Flights to Mexico 🇲🇽: One of the most exciting projects is making the changes needed so commercial airlines can someday offer direct flights from Bellingham to Mexico. This part of the plan is happening in stages, with initial work starting soon.
The Port of Bellingham will hire a consulting company to help with the design, permit work, bidding from contractors, and carrying out the construction. All these steps are meant to keep the project organized and on schedule.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these upgrades will keep Bellingham International Airport in line with modern safety standards and open up new possibilities for travel and business in the region.
Why These Upgrades Matter
The planned runway project and other upgrades at Bellingham International Airport are not just about new asphalt and fresh paint. Here’s why these investments have real meaning for many different groups:
Safer Travel
Modern runways, better airfield signs, and a new control tower all boost safety. The runway is a plane’s most important surface—worn-out or bumpy pavement can cause risks for pilots and passengers alike. By keeping the runway in top shape, the airport can keep everyone traveling through it as safe as possible.
Making More Flights Possible
Bellingham International Airport is growing. It recently supported Alaska Airlines as they added a fourth daily flight to Seattle. The airport is also offering incentives to attract new airlines and flights. With a better runway, control tower, and taxiways, the airport can welcome more planes, more often. This includes bigger passenger jets and, in the near future, flights to places that weren’t possible before—like direct routes to Mexico.
Jobs and Local Economy
These huge projects are expected to create many jobs for local building companies, suppliers, and other contractors. Every step—from design and planning to the final construction—requires skilled workers. This, in turn, boosts the local economy, helps families, and brings in new money to the Bellingham area.
Long-Term Growth
Airports are key for any community that wants to grow, attract businesses, and help people connect. By keeping its airport runway in good shape and planning for bigger things, Bellingham shows it has its eyes on the future. These improvements will let the airport serve more passengers and support more flights for years to come.
Expanding International Travel: Direct Routes to Mexico
One big move is the start of the process to add commercial flights from Bellingham to Mexico 🇲🇽. The airport is starting construction on the first phase of the changes needed to support these new international routes. This means making sure the airport meets the rules for customs, security, and border checks that are needed for international travel. The hope is that soon, travelers in Bellingham can fly direct to Mexico and beyond, opening up new choices for vacation, family visits, or business trips.
Support from the Federal Government
The Bellingham International Airport runway project and other improvements have support at the highest federal levels. The Biden-Harris Administration sees airport upgrades as a way to create jobs, spur local economies, and keep U.S. infrastructure up to date. This is clear from the nearly $67 million in Airport Infrastructure Grants given out recently, with $4.5 million going straight to Bellingham for airfield safety work.
The federal government also helps pay for the much bigger $30+ million runway project, matching local and state funds to make sure the airport has what it needs. This partnership is what allows a medium-sized airport like Bellingham to move forward with such ambitious plans.
Airport Past and Present
Bellingham International Airport has a strong history of planning ahead and making improvements. In 2010, for example, the airport underwent a $26 million resurfacing of its main runway. This important step allowed the airport to handle larger jets, like the Boeing 757, making it more appealing to airlines and travelers. Now, the airport is ready for another round of upgrades so it can keep growing.
The current five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is based on detailed studies and advice from the 2019 Master Plan. This shows the airport’s work is not random but part of a careful, long-term plan to keep the airport safe, competitive, and attractive for both passengers and airlines.
How Projects Are Managed
The Port of Bellingham is in charge of these big projects and will soon pick a consulting firm with experience in airport upgrades. This firm will handle the detailed design work, make sure all necessary permits are secured, organize bids from potential builders, and help watch over the work until everything is finished.
This “team approach” helps make sure the job is done right—on time and on budget. Clear communication with the FAA and other agencies is key to making sure the new runway and other upgrades meet every rule and safety standard.
These Projects in the Big Picture
People may ask, “Why spend so much on a runway?” The answer is that airports are a critical part of modern life. They connect families, help businesses grow, and let people explore the world. Without safe, reliable infrastructure, these connections become weaker.
With these large federal investments, Bellingham International Airport will stay competitive with other regional airports. Better facilities draw in more airlines and flights, which means more choices for travelers and more business for the local community.
Because airports must meet strict federal standards, getting grant money is both a mark of trust and a responsibility. The Port of Bellingham is showing it can manage these large projects with care.
Focusing on the Future
The years from 2025 to 2030 will be a time of change at Bellingham International Airport. The main runway project, better taxiways, improved signs, and a new control tower will lay the groundwork for years of safe, reliable, and expanded service. By adding the first phase of international upgrades, the airport is getting ready to connect Bellingham with new global destinations.
As the project starts, travelers can look forward to smoother flights, more options, and the comfort of knowing their airport is safer and better equipped than ever before. Airlines will find it easier to add new routes, and the local workforce will see more jobs and opportunities.
To see updates and get more details on specific projects at Bellingham International Airport, you can visit the Port of Bellingham’s official site, which offers the latest news and contact information.
In Summary
Bellingham International Airport is starting an ambitious period of growth and renewal. It has federal funding—for both near-term safety improvements and for the wider runway rehabilitation project—that will keep the airport’s runways, signs, and control systems in top shape. The five-year plan will make flying in and out of Bellingham smoother, safer, and ready for growth. These changes will benefit travelers, airlines, the local workforce, and the entire area that counts on Bellingham as its main airport link to the world. With clear leadership, a careful plan, and money in place, Bellingham International Airport is truly getting ready for takeoff into a safer and more connected future.
Learn Today
Runway Repaving → The process of resurfacing the main path used by aircraft for takeoff and landing to improve safety and durability.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) → The U.S. government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing all aspects of civil aviation.
Capital Improvement Program (CIP) → A five-year plan outlining scheduled infrastructure projects, funding sources, and improvement goals for the airport.
Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) → Federal grants established through legislation to support airport safety and modernization projects nationwide.
Taxiway Realignment → Adjusting the routes connecting runways and terminals to optimize aircraft movement and reduce delays.
This Article in a Nutshell
Bellingham International Airport is undergoing a major transformation, fueled by federal grants. Key projects include runway repaving, new signage, enhanced taxiways, and a state-of-the-art control tower. These upgrades will increase safety, support larger jets, and enable future flights to Mexico, benefiting travelers, airlines, and the regional economy.
— By VisaVerge.com
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