PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria International Airport will be getting some money its director says is desperately needed.
$15 million in federal money is coming to the airport through the Federal Aviation Administration to replace its long-obsolete air traffic control tower.
“The current building doesn’t meet any standards,” said Gene Olson, Director of Airports, Metropolitan Airport Authority of Peoria. “There are instruments that are weather readouts that are supposed to be in that tower, that are not there because there’s nowhere to mount the instrument heads.”
The current tower, built in 1959, has asbestos, is cramped, has equipment that can’t easily be updated, and is one of two towers in Illinois not owned by the FAA, said Olson.
“If this tower goes out of operation, then airline service goes away from Peoria,” said Olson.
Plans for a new tower have been on the books for years.
“We started working on this almost as soon as I came here in 2009,” said Olson. “In 2012, we went to the FAA tech center in Atlantic City. They have this thing called the Airway Facilities Tower Integration Lab. It’s basically where you do a site selection study for a new control tower.”
That led, Olson says, to plans being drawn up in 2016. Those plans will be updated, and construction will start in the spring and take a couple years.
“The Peoria International Airport is a key transportation hub for our community in central Illinois, and home to Illinois’ 182nd Airlift Wing. A new air traffic control tower is long overdue, and improvements made with this funding will ensure the airport remains operable, continues to modernize, and avoids unnecessary disruptions. I was proud to advocate on behalf of PIA’s application, and I will continue to be a champion for the airport in Congress.” — Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap), in a news release
“The air traffic control tower in Peoria is older than the Federal Aviation Administration, and its condition has been rated as one of the worst in the nation. The community is overdue for an upgrade and thanks to President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure law, they’ll finally receive one. I have been proud to work tirelessly alongside Senators Durbin and Duckworth to deliver this important federal investment in our local airport, and I look forward to the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport continuing to grow and thrive for generations to come.” — Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline), in a news release
“The existing Air Traffic Control Tower poses a serious safety threat for FAA employees. After urging FAA to replace the tower, I’m thrilled to announce we successfully secured these essential funds. The new tower will improve service, safety, and efficiency at Peoria International Airport, which is a critical economic engine and transportation link for Central Illinois.” — Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), in a news release
“Support for a much-needed air traffic control tower at Peoria International means Illinoisans’ safety is being prioritized at the federal level. I’m proud to see that the FAA heeded our urgent call to replace the outdated tower and, as a result, this important travel hub will be able to operate more efficiently for years to come.” — Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), in a news release
Excited to receive a $15 million grant to build a new Air Traffic Control Tower! #LetsGetItStarted #ATC #NewATCTower #LongOverdue #FlyPIA #SafeTravelsPIA #FlyLocal
— Peoria Int Airport (@FLYPIA) July 7, 2022
