Airport projects receive funding from Wisconsin Department of Transportation

Gov. Jim Doyle approved projects at five airports totaling $5.36 million, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation announced.

The largest of the bunch is $4 million for three projects at Dane County Regional Airport, which will design and construct a new taxiway and parking ramp as well as resurface the south ramp apron. Dane County is contributing $2 million to the projects, while the state will cover the other half.

According to David Montesinos, WisDOT airport development engineer, the new taxiway is needed for a new corporate hangar development and should be completed by winter. The parking ramp will be completed by spring 2008.

Shell Lake Municipal Airport will receive $620,000 -- $581,000 of which will come from the Federal Aviation Administration - to update its layout plan, design and construct airport pavements and acquire navigation easements. Work has already begun and is expected to be completed by winter.

Doyle also approved $421,000 for land purchases, apron reconstruction and expansion design and emergency runway repair at the Eagle River Union Airport. The FAA will provide $400,000 of the total. By completing engineering services for the apron now, the project can move forward without delay when construction funding becomes available.

The Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville will use $223,000 to purchase a de-icing vehicle, while the Rice Lake Regional Airport will get $50,000 to design a terminal expansion that will offer more office space and a restaurant. The latter project is scheduled to begin in spring 2008 and end by winter 2008.