Groundbreaking for new air traffic control tower at Peoria’s airport

The Peoria International Airport. (Photo courtesy: Peoria International Airport: Facebook)

By WMBD TV

PEORIA – Elected officials and those were on hand Monday to herald in a new era for the Gen. Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport.

Ceremonial shovels were to come out to turn the first clumps of dirt for the new air traffic control tower.

The project is expected to cost about $30 million which includes some mitigation work for mines that are in the area.

The existing tower has been in operation since 1959. The new tower will meet updated FAA standards and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. 

WMBD TV can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…