09.12.12

Durbin Announces $1.8 Million Investment for Improvements at Quad Cities Airport

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $1,800,000 grant to the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County for improvements at Quad City International Airport. This funding will be used to will modify the existing terminal building to construct a Federal Inspection Services Facility, which is needed to meet existing demands for the clearance of international cargo, passengers, and flight crews.

 

“Quad City International Airport is a critical transportation link in Illinois,” said Durbin. “Today’s funding shows a strong commitment by the Department of Transportation to invest in the growth of the airport and the Quad Cities region.”

 

“The Quad City International Airport continues to update the infrastructure that is vital for this region,” said Bruce Carter, Director of Aviation at Quad Cities International Airport.  “Year after year entitlement and discretionary federal dollars are pursued for airport improvements and this year is no exception.  The Federal Inspection Facility will enhance aviation activity and the Airport Authority is very excited about this improvement.”

 

Earlier this month, Durbin announced a $2,880,831 grant for the airport to increase the size of its snow removal equipment fleet and help ensure that the airport continues to function safely and efficiently.  Last year, construction was completed on a federally-funded rehabilitation of the Quad Cities Airport’s main 10,000 foot runway. The airport received $34 million to completely reconstruct the deteriorating runway, including $3.7 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and $487,000 secured by Durbin in the 2009 Transportation Appropriations bill.