Lewis Airport Plans Runway Project

The reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration came just in time, according to Director of Aviation Chris Lawson said this week.

Airport officials expect to open bids March 9 for a project to rebuild the 20-year-old east-west runway, which is showing signs of wear and tear.

Because the last long-term reauthorization of the FAA expired n 2007, the runway plan went out to bid as an unfunded project.

On Monday, the U.S. Senate OK’d the reauthorization, following the lead of the House. The new legislation could help Lewis airport secure federal funding for the project, Lawson said.

“The most important part was that they reauthorized it,” Lawson said. “Now, the FAA will take a look at the projects they have in front of them.”

Lawson estimated the runway project will cost $3.5 million. The airport is also considering other upgrades, including an air traffic control tower, which could help lure more corporations and Fortune 500 companies to Will County.

Lawson said he hopes Congressman Dan Lipinski, D-Third District, will help the airport secure project funding. Lipinski was a vocal supporter of the reauthorization bill.

Lipinski and Romeoville Mayor John Noak also met with FAA administrator Christa Fornarotto in November to stress the importance of improvements to Lewis University Airport.

“We’re excited about it,” Lawson said, adding the lower the bids received by the airport, the more likely it is that the project will receive FAA funding.

If it does, construction could start as early as May 1, with runway completion in October, Lawson said.

“It would be done before the snow flies,” he said.

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