FAA Allows Taxpayers to Track Progress on $12.5B ATC Upgrades

Agency cites lack of transparency for undermining previous modernization efforts such as NextGen.

Jack Daleo

Friday, May 22, 2026 at 01:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A new FAA website contains a progress tracker for the agency’s $12.5 billion air traffic control (ATC) modernization effort. [Credit: FAA]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has launched a new website, modernskies.faa.gov, to provide transparent, up-to-date information on its ongoing $12.5 billion air traffic control (ATC) modernization program.
This nationwide effort encompasses over 10,000 projects, including significant upgrades to radar, software, hardware, and telecommunications infrastructure, with a projected completion target of 2028.
The initiative aims to improve system reliability, prevent disruptions, and enhance efficiency, emphasizing transparency to address shortcomings and lack of accountability seen in previous modernization projects.
Future plans include advanced systems like SMART, intended to predict weather, traffic, and airspace conditions months in advance to optimize air traffic flow and minimize delays.

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A new FAA web page purports to pull back the curtain on the agency’s ongoing air traffic control (ATC) modernization push, which American taxpayers are funding to the tune of $12.5 billion.

Launched Friday ahead of the busy Memorial Day Weekend, the website is intended to give taxpayers a “transparent, up-close view” of more than 10,000 projects happening nationwide, per a news release. Users can input their city, state, ZIP code, or local airport to generate a custom report that captures local progress and efforts planned in the next 30 days.