North Dakota airports are set to receive a major boost, with more than $31 million in federal funding awarded to help renovate, expand, and modernize airport facilities across the state. Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Committee, announced the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), which will support projects that strengthen air travel infrastructure, improve safety, and increase capacity for communities throughout North Dakota.
Hector International Airport terminal expansion project
The largest share of this funding—$13.4 million—will go to Hector International Airport in Fargo for its terminal expansion project. This project will add 35,245 square feet, build four new gates, and construct a new apron to handle more air traffic. So far, Hoeven has secured over $53 million for the Hector Terminal Expansion and continues to push for an additional $17 million in federal support. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the project will also deliver:
- A new parking garage with an elevated walkway, opening later this year.
- Upgrades to the existing five gates and construction of four new boarding gates.
- An expanded apron to support increased ground operations and air traffic.
Beyond Fargo, many other airports across the state will receive grants for critical upgrades to runways, taxiways, aprons, lighting systems, hangars, drainage, and safety improvements. These projects will help maintain and extend the lifespan of North Dakota’s airport infrastructure while ensuring they meet modern safety standards and future travel needs.
Here’s the full list of North Dakota airports receiving federal funding:
- Bismarck Municipal Airport: $10.3 million to rehabilitate taxiways and runways, reconstruct lighting, and build safety areas.
- Cooperstown Municipal Airport: $1.3 million to construct a new taxilane and rehabilitate the existing runway.
- Cavalier Municipal Airport: Nearly $1.3 million to rehabilitate runways.
- Robertson Field (Langdon): $1.1 million to build a new taxiway.
- Harry Stern Airport (Wahpeton): $818,010 to install new taxiway lighting.
- Mohall Municipal Airport: $676,540 to construct new drainage systems, including underdrains, a storm drain, and a lift station.
- Lakota Municipal Airport: $626,848 to reconstruct North Apron pavement.
- Hutson Field (Grafton): $335,781 to help construct a new hangar.
- Kenmare Municipal Airport: $300,000 to replace snow removal equipment.
- Watford City Municipal Airport: $300,000 to construct a snow removal and sand storage building.
- Hettinger/JB Lindquist Regional Airport: $300,000 to reseal taxiways, apron, and runway pavement.
- Tioga Municipal Airport: $207,736 to reseal pavements and construct a connector taxiway and hangar taxilane.
- Walhalla Municipal Airport: $150,126 to build a new hangar.
- Mercer County Regional Airport: $100,043 to reseal taxiways, apron, and runway pavement.
“These federal investments are critical to the continued growth and connectivity of North Dakota’s communities,” said Hoeven. “From large airports like Fargo to small municipal fields, this funding will modernize our facilities, improve safety, and ensure our airports are ready to meet future needs. Strong airports mean stronger communities, new jobs, more business opportunities, and better connections for North Dakotans to the rest of the country and the world.”
