WSIL TV - New Terminal Coming to Williamson County Airport

News Article

By Brandon Merano

After seven years of planning, the Williamson County Airport is finanlly getting a new terminal. Congressman Bill Enyart joined airport officials Friday to break ground on the new facility.

An estimated $8 million will go into phase one of the new project. $5.5 million came from the F-A-A and $2.5 million from airport funds. Airport Director Doug Kimmel says this new facility will eliminate operational and maintenance problems that exist in the current facility, which was built more than 40 years ago.

The new terminal will feature a modern baggage carousel, more direct access to rental cars and more sustainable energy systems. There will also be a spacious waiting area that can also be used to hold public events. Completion of phase one is expected to take 14 months. The second part of the project will require an additional $3 million to complete the terminals interior.

"Today is the day we've been waiting quite a while for and finally see the improvements take place," said Kimmel.

"It's building the infrastructure that helps build southern Illinois and it's providing jobs for the construction folks while they are building the terminal," said Congressman Bill Enyart.

The new facility will also feature a centralized security checkpoint and be able to handle future growth of the airport. The whole project will cost around $11 million. The terminal is estimated to be fully functional in a year and a half.

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