By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – A nearly $1.2 million federal grant will help Central Illinois Regional Airport rehabilitate the pavement for the airport’s two runways.
CIRA Executive Director Carl Olson said they do routine maintenance of the runways every year, but this work will go a step beyond that.
“What this will do is will maintain the strength and integrity and safety of the airport runways, while at the same time postponing more expensive repairs in the future,” said Olson. “So it’s a very cost effective way to take care of our pavements.”
Olson explained much of the work will be done at night to make sure they’re not impacting airport operations, although some of the project will be done during the day.
“You have to remember there’s a lot of work to be done here. The pavement we’re talking about is probably equal to about 68 acres of concrete,” said Olson. “Or, another way of looking at it, 46 lane miles of pavement.”
The grant was secured with the help of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Peoria). It’s the second time in less than a month LaHood has been part of bringing federal dollars to CIRA.
Olson said the airport plans to begin the project early this fall.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
