Federal dollars coming to CIRA to buy new safety equipment, rehabilitate runway

Posted on September 26, 2024

*Central Illinois Regional Airport located at 3201 Cira Drive in Bloomington. (WJBC file photo)*

BLOOMINGTON – Federal money is coming to Central Illinois Regional Airport to help rehab a runway and to purchase fire-fighting equipment.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen announced more than $12.2 million in U.S. Transportation Department dollars coming to airports in Bloomington, Rockford and the Quad Cities, all areas he represents.

““By investing in safety upgrades at our local airports, our communities will have better access to affordable air travel right in their backyards. This important funding will be used to repair runways, prevent flooding, and purchase new safety equipment that will make our local airports sustainable for the future,” the Rockford Democrat said.

The Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority received $1.6 million to replace its existing rapid response aircraft rescue and fire-fighting vehicle to meet safety requirements.

Additionally, the money will be used to fix up 5,960 feet of the existing paved Runway 11/29 at CIRA to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement and minimize foreign object debris.

“The Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority is grateful for Congressman Sorensen’s support of the Central Illinois Regional Airport and, specifically, for this new infrastructure and safety grant,” said Alan Sender, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the Bloomington-Normal Airport Authority.

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