Bryan Bedford

Stories

Austin-Bergstrom lands $90M federal grant to build new Concourse B

Oversees FAA infrastructure funding programs

The Federal Aviation Administration has committed $90 million to build Concourse B at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the largest award in the five-year history of its Airport Terminal Program. The money funds phase two of the 860,810-square-foot midfield concourse, which will add 26 gates to an airport that has run over capacity for years.

Updated 3 days ago

FAA launches AI system to manage air traffic

New Capabilities

Overseeing SMART deployment

Air traffic controllers at three Washington-area airports started using an artificial-intelligence tool Monday that predicts where congestion will form before delays hit. The system, called SMART for Strategic Management of Airspace, Routes and Trajectories, analyzes weather at flying altitudes, airline schedules, and live flight paths in real time.

Updated Sep 21

Tennessee approves record interstate toll lane partnership

Built World

Managing the DriveTN agreement finalization

Tennessee approved a private consortium's $9.2 billion plan to build tolled express lanes on Interstate 24 between Nashville and Murfreesboro. DriveTN will pay the state $24.8 billion over 50 years in exchange for the right to build and operate the lanes.

Updated Sep 17

Washington mid-air collision: From tragedy to safety reckoning

Rule Changes

Implementing safety reforms and responding to NTSB recommendations

The National Transportation Safety Board concluded its investigation into the January 2025 collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River—the deadliest U.S. aviation accident since 2001. All 67 people aboard both aircraft died, including 28 members of the figure skating community returning from a national development camp. The NTSB found the crash was '100% preventable' and issued 50 safety recommendations, with 32 directed at the Federal Aviation Administration.

Updated May 23

FAA puts $6B on the table to rip out ATC’s “copper age” and hit a 2028 deadline

Built World

In office since July 2025; driving a compressed ATC rebuild plan

The FAA is no longer talking about “modernization” like it’s a distant science project. In a House hearing, Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency will commit $6 billion by the end of 2025 to upgrade ATC telecom networks and radar surveillance, with a target deployment date of 2028.

Updated May 15

Notable Quotes

Safe, modern infrastructure is essential to keeping our aviation system the safest and most efficient in the world.

from Austin-Bergstrom lands $90M federal grant to build new Concourse B · Updated 3 days ago

'We have an opportunity to look holistically at what's going on in the airspace, not just at this minute, but what we project will be going on in the airspace over the course of the day.'

from FAA launches AI system to manage air traffic · Updated Sep 21

"This is an unexpected outcome and we now go to work with the proposer and the Build America Bureau to optimize this outcome."

from Tennessee approves record interstate toll lane partnership · Updated Sep 17

"That $24.8 billion of value that will be realized over a 50-year period does not solve an $87 billion root problem."

from Tennessee approves record interstate toll lane partnership · Updated Sep 17

"There must never be another tragedy like the one on January 29 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. We will not hesitate to take action if we identify risk."

from Washington mid-air collision: From tragedy to safety reckoning · Updated May 23

Bedford framed ATC renewal as building a “brand-new air traffic control system” within three years (House testimony, Dec. 16, 2025).

from FAA puts $6B on the table to rip out ATC’s “copper age” and hit a 2028 deadline · Updated May 15