Fresno Yosemite International Airport image via City of Fresno.

The City of Fresno has received millions in funding for improvements to local transportation systems — road and air.

Mayor Jerry Dyer announced Thursday that the city received $52.1 million from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP).

The award amount is the full ask from the Department of Transportation Fresno Area Express (FAX) through the TIRCP Program.

City officials said it is by far the single largest competitive grant award ever received by the transportation department and their first TIRCP award since the 2018 cycle.

The award will be combined with other previously secured state grants to fully fund the $115 million FAX System Efficiency and Accessibility Improvement Project.

The TIRCP will fund $21.5 million of the $28.6 million required along Church Avenue to connect the community to higher education.

To fund a hydrogen fueling facility to support the department’s transition to zero emissions by 2040, $23.2 million of the $74.6 million required for the planning was awarded.

Included in the award is $69 million of the $11.3 million required for the construction of accessible bus stop improvements, including engineering and design, bus stop build-outs and the installation of new passenger amenities.

Dyer said the funds will be crucial in helping the local transportation system meet and exceed the expectations of our community.

“The residents of Fresno rely on FAX to get them to work, doctor appointments, school, and everywhere they need to go. I’m proud of our team and the work they do every day to provide the best service possible, and I’m incredibly grateful to the State of California for investing in Fresno,” Dyer.

Flying money

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is also getting major funding for a new terminal concourse.

The airport was awarded $6 million from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill (BIL).

This grant will be used to fund a portion of the new terminal concourse that will improve passenger processing efficiencies and help expand screening checkpoints.

The newly awarded $6 million comes in addition to the $7.1 million funding awarded in 2023 and continued investment in the largest expansion in FAT’s history.

“We are grateful for the federal grant support from our region’s Congressional representatives to fund this significant and historic terminal expansion project,” said Director of Aviation Henry Thompson. “These grants help to strengthen our important position as an international air gateway for California’s Central Valley with the capacity to meet our region’s current and growing air service demand.”

The terminal expansion project was included in the $970 million BIL funding awarded to 125 U.S. airports and designed to invest in key areas to help make the passenger experience more efficient, and enjoyable.

With this funding, the city will be able to fund the $150 million Terminal Expansion Project at FAT, a program titled FAT Forward.

A milestone for the project was met last week with the completion of the building’s steel structure. The building’s roof will be fully installed and the building’s exterior fully enclosed and weathertight in November.

Work for the inside of the building, including installation of equipment, is expected to be complete by January 2025.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are expanding Fresno-Yosemite International Airport — one of the fastest-growing in the nation. These funds will create much-needed upgrades and better support economic growth across the San Joaquin Valley. This goes beyond infrastructure; it’s a commitment to ensuring our region thrives,” said Rep. Jim Costa.