The Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) Airport Improvement Program combines federal, state and local resources to help fund improvements to over 98 public-use airports throughout the state primarily owned by counties, cities, towns and villages. Improvements may include runway construction and reconstruction, land acquisition, navigational aids and lighting.
Wisconsin’s airport system plays a key role in the state’s transportation network meeting business, passenger, freight and recreational air transportation needs, while enhancing the economic vitality of Wisconsin’s communities. With more than 722 landing facilities—127 of which are public-use airports, improving infrastructure and making safety improvements are top priorities. The state’s commitment to high-quality aviation facilities is evident. In 2015, more than $66 million in federal and state funds supported 57 airport improvement projects at 44 airports around Wisconsin.
An important feature of any airport is pavement. WisDOT reports the condition of airport pavements through the department’s MAPSS Performance Improvement program. As of January 2016, 87 percent of airport pavements are rated at fair or above. Airports around the state are benefitting from pavement improvement projects.
Runway reconstruction and rehabilitation projects:
Central Wisconsin Airport, Mosinee
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Eau Claire
Dodge County Airport, Juneau
Door County Cherryland Airport, Sturgeon Bay
Eagle River Union Airport, Eagle River
General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee
Lawrence J. Timmerman Field, Milwaukee
Menomonie Municipal Airport, Menomonie
J. Douglas Bake Municipal Airport, Oconto
Portage Municipal Airport, Portage
Price County Airport, Phillips
Rice Lake Regional Airport—Carl’s Field, Rice Lake
Sheboygan County Memorial Airport, Sheboygan
Solon Springs Municipal Airport, Solon Springs
Taxiway and apron projects:
Austin Straubel International Airport, Green Bay
Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Chippewa Valley
East Troy Municipal Airport, East Troy
Ephraim-Gibraltar Airport, Ephraim
General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee
John F. Kennedy Memorial Airport, Ashland
L. O. Simenstad Municipal Airport, Osceola
Lawrence J. Timmerman Field, Milwaukee
Merrill Municipal Airport, Merrill
J. Douglas Bake Municipal Airport, Oconto
Solon Springs Municipal Airport, Solon Springs
Taylor County Airport, Medford
Waukesha County Airport, Waukesha
Waupaca Municipal Airport, Waupaca
Wittman Regional Airport, Oshkosh
More Airport Improvement Program information can be found at the WisDOT website. Governor Walker’s Aviation Week Proclamation is available online.
