Last week, it was announced that the Federal Aviation Administration will split $21 million in grants between 17 Arizona airports.

Intended for infrastructure improvements, the grants are part of a total of $840 million going to U.S. airports, the first phase of the $3.18 billion Airport Improvement Program.

Across the country, 381 airports will benefit from 432 grants to fund their projects.

“Airport improvement grants are a critical source of revenue that we provide to public-use airports all over the U.S. for important infrastructure projects,” said Ian Gregor, FAA spokesman. “And that can range from runway construction to acquiring land for development, to terminal expansion, to runway and taxiway improvements and lighting improvements, airfield signs, all sorts of things like that.”

$6.5 million will be awarded to The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport for taxiway reconstruction and $3.7 million will go to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for reconstruction of its aircraft apron. Over $3 million will be given to Window Rock Airport for runway reconstruction, while $1.7 million will go to Buckeye Municipal Airport for taxiway improvements.

“Over time, all pavement at all airports deteriorates to a degree,” Gregor said. “And it’s important that airports maintain all of their pavement in a good condition so that no debris is kicked up that could damage aircraft engines or the aircraft themselves.”

The 13 other Arizona airports include projects such as installing perimeters, updating master plan studies and reconstructing runway lighting.