A 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act includes funding for a new air traffic control tower at Oklahoma City’s Wiley Post Airport.
The measure recently won support in the House Appropriations Committee and included $8 million to replace the aging and outdated ATC tower at Wiley Post.
Oklahoma Congresswoman Stephanie Bice is Vice Chair of the subcommittee.
“This year’s THUD bill strengthens transportation safety on our railroads, highways, and in our skies. It modernizes our nation’s air traffic control system by funding the hiring of 2,300 new air traffic controllers and replacing outdated telecommunications infrastructure to improve safety and reliability. The bill also invests more than $6.3 billion in highways, railways, and airports to support our growing transportation needs. I applaud Chairman Tom Cole and Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack for their leadership and commitment to advancing the appropriations process in a timely manner.”
She said there were some key wins for Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District including $10.2 million across five transportation projects aimed at improving high risk traffic patterns or aging infrastructure.
Other congressional district projects targeted by the Act include:
- $10 million for the development of a multipurpose community center in Choctaw.
- $1 million for University of Central Oklahoma to continue upgrading their forensic science facilities that assist in processing backlogged Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women cases and to improve and expand their current facilities.
- Funding for OKC ahead of the Olympics in 2028.
The legislation also:
Invests in transportation safety and rebuilds America by:
- Providing $22.7 billion for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hire 2,300 new air traffic controllers and replace dated telecommunication infrastructure.
- Rebuilding America with more than $6.3 billion in new budget authority for highways, rail, airports, and maritime infrastructure.
Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:
- Funding the U.S. Merchant Marines, state Maritime Academies, shipyards, and the strategic sealift programs—including the Cable Security Fleet, Maritime Security Program, and Tanker Security Program.
- Supporting America’s vehicle and aircraft manufacturers to ensure global leadership and to counter China’s malign influence.
- Maintaining “Buy American” provisions that maximize the federal government’s use of services, goods, products, and materials produced and offered in the United States.
- Providing $92 million for new Department of Transportation (DOT) cybersecurity infrastructure initiatives.
- Cracks down on cargo theft that results in increased prices.
