Acquire aircraft rescue and fire fighting safety equipment; shift taxiway; shift runway; extend/expand runway; reconstruct aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle; reconstruct taxiway; reconstruct…

The City of Rochester received a $42.1 million Project Grant from the Federal Aviation Administration under the Airport Improvement Program, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Programs, and COVID-19 Airports Programs (CFDA 20.106) on September 23, 2025, with an anticipated completion date of September 22, 2029. The grant funds comprehensive airport infrastructure improvements at Rochester International Airport, including the acquisition of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) equipment and protective gear, reconstruction of 6,450 linear feet of Runway 03/21 and 2,100 linear feet of Taxiway B, extension of Runway 03/21 by 1,647 linear feet to meet current Federal Aviation Administration standards, and replacement of one Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle to comply with 14 CFR Part 139 safety requirements. Additionally, the grant supports runway and taxiway realignment (Runway 03/21 shifted 595 feet and Taxiway D shifted 220 feet) to bring airport infrastructure into conformity with current standards.

The project is structured across multiple phases, including navigational aid relocation (Phase 10), construction of runway extension and Taxiway B4 with runway guard lighting (Phase 11), and reconstruction of runway and lighting systems (Phase 7). These coordinated infrastructure improvements enhance airport safety, operational efficiency, and capacity to serve the Rochester, Minnesota region in accordance with the Federal Aviation Administration's strategic objectives for safety and operational excellence within the National Plan of Integrated Airports Systems.

Activities and expected outcomes

This project acquires new aircraft rescue & fire fighting equipment including protective clothing, ancillary tools and equipment to enhance safety. This project extends runway 3/21 an additional 1,647 feet in length to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This project reconstructs 2,100 feet of existing paved taxiway b pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. This project reconstructs 6,450 feet of existing paved runway 03/21 that has reached the end of its useful life. This project replaces 1 existing aircraft rescue and fire fighting vehicle to meet 14 CFR part 139 safety requirements that has reached the end of its useful life. This project shifts existing paved runway 3/21 by 595 feet to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This project shifts existing paved taxiway d by 220 feet to bring the airport into conformity with current standards. This grant funds phase 10, which consists of navigational aid relocation. This grant funds phase 11, which consists of constructing the extension and taxiway B4 with runway guard lights. This grant funds phase 7, which consists of reconstruction of 2,100 feet of runway and lighting. This grant funds the final phase, which consists of construction. This grant funds the final phases, which consists of construction. Intended beneficiary: this grant will provide federal funding for airports associated with rochester, minnesota.