WESTCHESTER COUNTY — U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced $18 million in federal funding for renovations at Westchester County Airport. The upgrades will include new radar systems, voice switches, and controller displays in the air traffic control tower.

The funding originates from the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which Congress passed. These improvements are also intended to assist with hiring new air traffic controllers.

Secretary Duffy toured the air traffic control tower with Republican Congressman Mike Lawler. Duffy noted that the existing equipment was aging. "It's pushing what... 60-plus years old? And the equipment is old, and I want to be clear, old doesn't mean it's not safe," Duffy said.

He further elaborated on the allocation of funds. "As the congressman mentioned, we have $18 million coming to your airport here and taking what is pretty old technology and building it brand new," Duffy said.

Congressman Lawler commented on the need for modernizing airport infrastructure. "Over the last 40 years we have seen Americans travel at record levels and certainly our airport infrastructure needs to be upgraded," Lawler said. He added, "To modernize it's really important."

Lawler cited examples of other area airports that have undergone renovations. "We saw in New York, LaGuardia and JFK go through significant renovations and ongoing," Lawler said. "We've seen it at Newark. It needs to happen here at Westchester County as well."

Duffy also addressed the working conditions for air traffic controllers. "Our controllers, if you hear anything about their jobs, they're stressed... they get burnt out. And so, if I can give them the additional tools that can take some of that stress off, the technology can help them better do their job, I want to give it to them," Duffy said. All upgrades are expected to be complete by October 2028.