Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is home to the first City of Phoenix project to benefit from the new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The project will start with construction of a long-awaited cross-field taxiway connecting the north and south airfields. Estimated to cost $260m, the 2,000ft-taxiway will join the north and south airfields on the west end of the airport, allowing better aircraft flow for airfield operations. Design has begun on the project and Federal environmental approvals are expected late this summer. Approximately $194m is anticipated to come from monies set aside by the infrastructure package with the balance being paid from passenger facility charges and airport revenues.

“This airfield project is another step in connecting Phoenix to the world. As one of the first projects for the city identified for delivery under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this new taxiway will reduce aircraft taxi time, improve utilisation of all runways, and add capacity for our airline partners,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will also set aside $5bn over five years in competitive grants for airport terminal projects, along with other competitive grant opportunities for projects that promote sustainability. Potential projects to support Phoenix Sky Harbor’s increasing passenger traffic include: a second north concourse at Terminal 3, a pedestrian bridge between Terminals 3 and 4, infrastructure improvements at Terminal 4, upgrades to garage lighting, new solar installations, and replacement of fleet vehicles with electric vehicles.