The Quad Cities International Airport (QCIA) will receive $2,765,727 from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program to continue to improve runway safety through drainage work at the Moline regional airport.
The latest QCIA funding was secured through an Illinois Quad Cities congressional delegation. It includes U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, and U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Moline.
“The Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County appreciates the continued support of Senators Durbin and Duckworth as well as Congressman Sorenson in securing discretionary federal funding to support the Quad Cities International Airport,” QCIA Executive Director Benjamin Leischner said. “This money will be used to improve airport safety by eliminating standing water on the airfield that has historically been an attractant to wildlife. Construction is estimated to begin next year with a local contractor.”
The timeline for beginning construction is next spring and there will be no impact to passengers, the airport said.
QCIA also did a similar though much larger project a few years ago. It created culverts around the airport’s primary runway so that water could pass underground rather than at ground level where it could attract birds and other wildlife that create hazards to aircraft.
Funds target safety, security
The funding for both projects is from the FAA AIP program. It looks at projects up to five years ahead. QCIA competes with airports across the nation for the funding, the airport said. Grants are primarily focused on supporting projects that target safety and security updates.
“Our elected officials are crucial advocates to ensure we, and other Illinois airports, receive these grants,” the airport said.
The Moline funding is part of $12.3 million in U.S. Department of Transportation safety and infrastructure funding for regional airports in Mr. Sorensen’s district. Others were the Chicago-Rockford International Airport (RFD) and the Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA) in McLean County.
“Too many of my neighbors across Central and Northwestern Illinois have to travel miles and sit through hours of traffic just to catch their flights at O’Hare or Midway,” Mr. Sorensen said in a news release.
“By investing in safety upgrades at our local airports, our communities will have better access to affordable air travel right in their backyards,” he added. “This important funding will be used to repair runways, prevent flooding, and purchase new safety equipment that will make our local airports sustainable for the future.”
