Governor Doyle approves $1,423,734 project at Washington Island Airport

July 17, 2009

Governor Jim Doyle has approved a $1,423,734 project to plan, design, acquire land and relocate a turf runway at the Washington Island Airport.  The Governor’s action releases $35,592 in state funds to realign turf runway 4/22 to 2/20, and extend its length an additional 950 feet, from 1,300 feet to 2,250 feet.  The land acquisition will clear the runway approaches from obstacles.

The Town of Washington Island is contributing $35,597 to the project and the Federal Aviation Administration is providing $1,352,545.

According to Gayle Stearn, airport development engineer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the additional runway length and removal of obstacles from the runway approaches will improve safety for pilots when landing and taking off at the airport.

The project is scheduled to begin in July 2009 and should be completed by spring 2010.

In addition to the 1,300-foot turf crosswind runway, Washington Island Airport facilities include a 2,240-foot turf runway.  There are 16 aircraft based at the airport and approximately 6,000 aircraft operations each year.

For more information, contact:
Gayle Stearn, WisDOT Airport Development Engineer
(608) 266-7269, gayle.stearn@dot.wi.gov