More than a million dollars from the federal government is being allocated to two airports in Central Illinois to enhance their runway facilities.
U.S. Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth announced on Friday that they have secured FAA entitlement funds for Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport and the University of Illinois Willard Airport in Savoy. These funds are designated for runway rehabilitation at both airports.
“By bolstering our airport infrastructure, we’re setting the stage for better connectivity and reliability,” Durbin stated alongside Duckworth in their announcement. “This federal funding will improve the airports’ infrastructure and stimulate economic development. Senator Duckworth and I are committed to ensuring that our state’s regional airports receive essential federal resources.”
“Illinois’s airports are critical economic engines for our state,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing this federal funding to help modernize and improve infrastructure at Willard Airport. I will continue working to make traveling safer and more reliable for all passengers while ensuring that our communities are receiving the much-needed federal resources they deserve.”
Lincoln Capital Airport received over $940,000 while Willard received $400,000.
Tim Bannon, the Executive Director of Willard Airport, told WCIA that the money going to his airport will be used for surveys on the runway and the environmental impacts the project will have. He described their plan as “multifaceted,” which will include excavating and replacing the current runway by 2028 and the installation of new signage and lighting on the runway.
The surveys will also help them determine what material the new runaway will be made out of. The current one is concrete and asphalt.
