The Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has awarded more than $3.1 million in airport improvement grants across the state, including a $2.5 million grant for construction at Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field.

A news release from the state agency said the funding was awarded through ALDOT’s Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program, which provides financial assistance and technical support to public-use airports throughout Alabama for projects such as land acquisition, runway upgrades, facility repairs, maintenance and operational improvements.

According to ALDOT, the Gulf Shores grant will support Terminal 1.0 construction and a QTA state grant project at Gulf Shores International Airport/Jack Edwards Field. The Airport Authority of the City of Gulf Shores is the project sponsor. The state grant totals $2.5 million and represents the largest award in the latest round of airport funding.

The latest grants bring ALDOT’s total airport improvement funding awarded in 2026 to $5,336,018.

“Safe, reliable airport facilities require continued investment,” Frank Farmer, bureau chief of ALDOT’s Aeronautics Bureau, said in the release. “These grants will help local airports address important needs and maintain facilities that pilots, businesses and communities can depend on.”

In addition to the Gulf Shores project, ALDOT awarded funding for airport improvements at airports across Alabama, including runway rehabilitation, lighting upgrades, hangar development, apron expansions, perimeter fencing and other infrastructure projects.

ALDOT officials said the grants reflect the department’s continued investment in Alabama’s aviation system, which supports emergency response, commerce, tourism and other transportation needs statewide.

The Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program was established to help airport owners with the planning, construction and maintenance of aviation facilities. ALDOT may also provide engineering and technical support for approved projects. Planning for the fiscal year 2027 program is currently underway.

More information about the Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program is available at www.dot.state.al.us/programs.html.