By WMBD TV
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood on Monday delivered a $1.5 million grant for an airport plan that could bring more jobs to the Twin Cities.
The federal funding will help build a cargo road to separate truck traffic from airport traffic. The goal is to build a truck exit of sorts off Airport Road to the FedEx warehouse. FedEx is the largest employer housed at Central Illinois Regional Airport right now.
LaHood said this project is a double win. It will create a safer traffic pattern and spur more private development.
“I’m really proud to play a small role with the airport authority to get this done,” the Dunlap Republican said.
CIRA has a matching $1.5 million in funding. But that totals about half of the money needed to build the road or even start the project.
“It starts when we get another $3 million,” CIRA Airport Authority Board Chairman Alan Sender said.
Sender said the airport is looking at the state and federal levels to find more funding opportunities.
“We have talked with our state legislators. We’ve talked with state agencies, with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. We have a grant application there. We’ve had a very good response from our federal legislators. There’s still some federal opportunities there,” he said.
The project would spur job development, as it would create more space for another company, like UPS, at the airport. It could also pave the way for additional commercial development in the area, Sender said.
FedEx, whose trucks take up space on CIRA Drive daily, gives its full support for the cargo road, he said.
“They are concerned about the amount of truck traffic that has to go out on the very standard road that was built way back when. So, they’re very enthused about it, and we’re looking forward to getting it done,” he said.
It would also create a safer route for those entering and leaving the airport by redirecting the truck traffic.
“Right now, the main road coming into and out of the airport is beset with all those trucks, truck tractor trailers, large trucks that run through FedEx day in, day out. With this road, those trucks will be routed on the new road and would enhance the safety for everybody,” said Sender.
WMBD TV first reported on this story. You can find the original story online at CIProud.com.
