A taxiway at the Long Beach Airport will soon undergo a full reconstruction, thanks to help from a U.S. Department of Transportation grant.
Taxiways are used by aircraft to move between hangars, terminals, and other key facilities. At LGB, the pavement on Taxiway F is nearing the end of its useful service life, according to airport representative Darrick Lee.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), announced that the airport has receieved a $27 million grant from the DOT on Friday, July 3, which will be used to fund a majority of the Taxiway F restoration project.
“This $27 million is going straight to the infrastructure that keeps Long Beach Airport running,” Garcia said in a news release. “As the former Mayor of Long Beach, improving this airport has always been important to me. Upgrading our airport’s infrastructure keeps flights safe, operations running smoothly, and our airport modernized.”
With those funds, LGB will reconstruct around 550,000-square feet of pavement on Taxiway F. The project will also include restoration of pavement markings, lighting, signage, and drainage systems, according to the airport.
Construction on the project is expected to begin in the near future, according to Lee, who said the airport has nearly finished the bidding process to select a contractor for the project and expects to receive the grant funds in February 2027.
“After the contract is awarded, it will take approximately 14 months to complete,” Lee said. “The project is anticipated to be completed before the 2028 Olympics.”
The project, meanwhile, won’t have any impacts on commercial flights. The airport, though, will provide alternative taxi routes for general aviation aircraft when needed, according to Lee.
In total, the project is expected to cost around $30.1 million. The majority will be paid for with the DOT grant, Lee said, and the remainder will be covered with airport funds.
The project, meanwhile, is just one of many infrastructure improvement initiatives undertaken by Long Beach Airport in recent years. Most recently, LGB started construction on a $37 million project aimed at enhancing the airport’s concourse and passenger areas, which is also expected to be completed ahead of the Olympics.
Last year, Long Beach Airport also added a new security screening lane and announced plans to enhance both pre- and post-security concessions for travelers; and completed its Terminal Roadway Improvements Project, a $16 million effort to improve vehicular and passenger flow along the Donald Douglas Drive loop and provide additional enhancements for those with mobility challenges.
In 2024, Long Beach Airport reopened its Historical Terminal after a $17.8 million preservation and modernization project, which uncovered and brought back to life the terminal’s World War II-era mosaic artwork and other historic elements.
“Reconstructing Taxiway F strengthens the infrastructure that supports one of the nation’s premier airports, protects the travel experience residents and visitors have come to expect, and positions our airport for continued growth,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in the announcement. “We’re thankful to Congressman Garcia for delivering another significant federal investment that benefits our community today and prepares Long Beach for tomorrow.”