Ryan Announces Illinois FIRST Funds for Airports Throughout Illinois

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan today announced the release of $952,400 in Illinois FIRST funding for airport improvements throughout the state.

"With Illinois FIRST, we are able to address the needs of airports throughout the state," Ryan said. "These funds will allow regional airports to make necessary safety improvements and preserve the state's overall air transportation infrastructure."

Six regional airports were awarded Illinois FIRST grants.

* $352,800 for the Olney-Noble Airport.

The project calls for the installation of localizer and distance measuring equipment to provide electronic guidance that will permit use of the airport during all types of weather. The existing localizer equipment is more than 20 years old and is being replaced and relocated to allow for the expansion of one of the runways. The distance measuring equipment is new to the airport and will eliminate the need to use equipment located 17 miles away.

Total cost of the projects is $441,000, with the $352,800 in state funds being matched with $88,200 in local funds. The work is expected to be undertaken in

August pending receipt of acceptable bids and the subsequent award of the project.

* $81,600 for Quincy Baldwin Field.

The project will provide for the rehabilitation of the T-hangar access road. Work is expected to begin around June 1 and be completed by the end of the month.

Total cost of the project is $102,000, with the $81,600 in state funds being matched with $20,400 in local funds.

* $77,600 for the Casey Municipal Airport.

Funds will be used to finance the needed resurfacing of the entrance road and parking lot, and the replacement of the old rotating beacons. Work is expected to begin June 12 and should be completed by the end of July, pending receipt of acceptable bids and the award of the contract. Total cost of the project is $97,000 with the state providing $77,600 and the local agency $19,400.

* $334,400 for the Flora Airport.

Funds will go toward the installation of a new instrument landing system that will allow pilots to land with visibility as low as one mile, and ceilings as low as 400 feet.

Total cost of the project is $418,000, with the state contributing the $334,400, and the local agency $83,600. The work is expected to be undertaken in August and September pending receipt of acceptable bids and the subsequent award of the contract.

* $60,000 for the Lawrenceville-Vincennes International Airport.

"Funds will be used for the installation of an omni-directional approach lighting system (ODALS) which will guide aircraft to the runway and positively identify the runway to pilots. With this new system in place, pilots will be able to land with visibility as low as 3/4 of a mile. The lighting system will be installed at the end of runway 27.

Total cost of the project is $75,000, with the $60,000 in state funds being matched with $15,000 in local funds. The work is expected to be undertaken in August pending receipt of acceptable bids and the subsequent award of the contract.

* $46,000 for the Litchfield Municipal Airport.

The grant will be used for grading and drainage work on a new north/south runway. The new runway will greatly enhance the capacity at Litchfield Municipal Airport by providing crosswind operation capability. The paving, lighting, and marking of the new runway will be undertaken next year, and will complete the existing east/west runway.

Total cost of the project is $930,000, with the federal government providing $837,000, the state, $46,500, and the local agency $46,500. The grading and drainage work is expected to start around August 1 and be completed by mid-October pending receipt of acceptable bids and the subsequent award of the contract.