County Board Commits Share of Funds Toward Airport Runway Extension

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Published on May 18 2021 3:22 pm
Last Updated on May 18 2021 4:28 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

Effingham Airport

The Effingham County Airport Commission has long lobbied for an extension of the airport's east/west runway, its main takeoff and landing strip.

Local officials are hopeful the Rebuild Illinois initiative might be the opportunity for the project to move forward.

The County Board Monday voted to pass a resolution supporting the airport capital improvement program. A key component of that program would be a 900-foot extension of the east/west runway, to 6,000 feet. The extension would allow larger planes to utilize the airport, which could mean more passengers in and out of Effingham.

Effingham County Engineer Greg Koester said one item in the Rebuild Illinois plan is $94 million for airport work. The runway extension project is valued at $3 million, with a 10% commitment of funds, or $300,000, by the County.

Koester said the proposal needs submitted by June 14. The County should know later this year whether the proposal is approved.

The County agreed to relocate a township road on the east end of the airport to facilitate the project. The roadway leads to a residential subdivision that wraps around the southeast part of the airport.