THURSDAY (Sept. 3, 2020) – The Vermont Congressional Delegation and Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger announced Thursday the Burlington Airport will receive $6.3 million in grants from the Federal Aviation Administration to address concerns about increased noise at the airport and to invest in new infrastructure at the terminal. The majority of the funds will be used to soundproof the Chamberlin Elementary School in South Burlington. Additional funds will be used to establish three sound monitoring units around Chittenden County and to expand the apron around the airport terminal. They also reported that for these grants, the federal government will pick up one hundred percent of the cost, with no cost share from the local communities.
In a joint statement, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I) and Representative Peter Welch (D) said: “We have consistently pressed for the federal funding for noise remediation in communities near the airport to address increased noise levels. We have also supported full federal funding, without the requirement of local matching funds. These initial grants to soundproof the Chamberlin School and establish noise monitoring units are an encouraging first step as we continue to advocate the communities surrounding the airport. We look forward to working with federal, state, and local partners on future noise-proofing projects, including in communities not currently helped by this funding.”
“The success in securing these grant funds are a result of strong, continuous partnerships between the City of Burlington, the City of South Burlington, South Burlington School District, and our Vermont delegation,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “The collaboration among these entities shows the dedication to our local community, specifically Chamberlin School, which is a longstanding project that will bring forward a positive learning environment for years to come.”
Helen Riehle, Chair of South Burlington City Council said: “On behalf of South Burlington I am very pleased with this news.”
“These grants will greatly benefit our community, and many thanks are due to the FAA for their continued support of BTV, as well as our Vermont delegation,” said Gene Richards, Director of Aviation.
The FAA is making three individual grants to the airport that collectively total $6.3 million. These awards include a $3.49 million grant that will go toward soundproofing the Chamberlin Elementary School. While the funds will support a variety of projects, the majority of funds will be used to make investments in the school’s air system to allow the school to keep windows closed, reducing noise. The airport is receiving $338,924 to establish three mobile sound monitoring units. Working with a consultant, the airport will determine what locations are most appropriate for placing the units and what easements might be needed for their installation. The final award will deliver $2.46 million for the construction of a new apron around the terminal, allowing the airport to accommodate larger aircraft.
