Peoria Int'l Airport News (New Control Tower, Runway Work)


Someday, in the not-too-distant future, the Peoria International Airport will get a new control tower. 
On July 7, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded PIA $15 million toward construction of a new control tower. The multi-year project will cost $27 million.

The present tower, built in 1959 with the now demolished terminal building, has been deterioriating. It is the second-oldest tower still in operation in the U. S. and does not meet current standards. Thus, replacement is critical. 

A news item on the airport's website includes a sketch of the proposed tower. It appears that it will be built on the west side of the international terminal. 

Before the month concluded, the airport also received $8.4 million for rehabilitating 5,650 feet of Runway 4/22, which is 8,004 feet  total. The airport received $1.1 million for this project in 2020. The project is expected to start in spring 2023 with completion scheduled for fall.

- David P. Jordan

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