Rehabilitate runway

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded $4.18M to the Decatur Park District under the Airport Improvement Program (CFDA 20.106) to rehabilitate 3,300 linear feet of Runway 12/30 at Decatur Airport in Long Creek, Illinois. This Phase 2 construction grant, obligated on September 8, 2025, with a completion target of September 7, 2029, will address structural integrity issues and reduce foreign object debris to extend the runway's operational lifespan. The project directly supports the FAA's strategic objectives of safety and operational excellence while maintaining adequate airport infrastructure for civil aeronautics needs in the region.

As a municipal airport authority, the Decatur Park District has established a track record of leveraging Airport Improvement Program funding for comprehensive airfield infrastructure modernization. This runway rehabilitation project aligns with the organization's broader capital improvement strategy, which has included simultaneous projects such as runway lighting reconstruction, apron pavement work, and taxiway enhancements funded through approximately $7.4M in FAA grants between 2022 and 2025. The award supports the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and traditional AIP objectives of modernizing transportation infrastructure while strengthening regional airport capabilities.

Activities and expected outcomes

This project rehabilitates 3,300 feet of the existing paved runway 12/30 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life. This grant funds phase 2, which consists of construction. Intended beneficiary: this grant will provide federal funding for airports associated with decatur, illinois.