HANOVER TWP., Pa. — Lehigh Valley International Airport will receive nearly $41 million in federal funding for a new logistics and cargo complex designed to accommodate the airport’s growing freight operations, lawmakers said.
The infrastructure funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation is in addition to recent upgrades to expand security screening and rehabilitate runways at LVIA.
Last year, more than 275 million pounds of air cargo was processed through the airport in Lehigh County.
“This historic funding will revolutionize Lehigh Valley International Airport’s ability to process record-breaking amounts of cargo,” said U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Lehigh Valley, in a prepared statement.
“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."
Joining Wild in announcing the funding were U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman, both D-Pa.
“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.”U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.
According to the lawmakers, the money will support the Northside Logistics and Cargo Complex.
The project includes construction of an on-airport cross dock facility, a direct truck-to-aircraft loading apron, and road and intersection improvements designed to improve day-to-day operations and freight movement.
A summary from the Biden administration details a multimodal cargo facility connected to the highway. That includes a dedicated access road and unspecified intersection improvements.
A news release says the project creates a safe truck parking area as an alternative to the current practice of parking off-site in unauthorized locations.
The facility will be designed to serve express carriers by providing specialized operations for time-sensitive package processing, and decreasing tie from the existing cargo facility to the aircraft operations area by about 15 minutes, according to the administration.
The grant totals $40,798,046. It brings to $95 million the amount of federal funding received at LVIA since the start of 2021, the lawmakers said.
“I fought for this funding because Lehigh Valley International Airport is an economic engine that is critical to the success of the region,” Casey said in a news release. “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.”
