Peotone Airport Plan Submitted To FAA
PEOTONE, Ill. (STMW) - The Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Aeronautics announced Friday the one of the final planning documents for the South Suburban Airport has been submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration for review.
The facility requirements report is one of the last steps in developing a master plan for the South Suburban Airport in Peotone, according to an Illinois Department of Transportation release. The process is scheduled to be completed early next year.
The airport will be about 5,385 acres over 134 parcels, the release said. The state has already spent $33 million toward the purchase of 2,380 acres.
The facility requirements report sent Wednesday to the FAA outlines the airfield facilities needed to accommodate the airport during the first five years of operations, according to the release.
Among the areas addressed: runways and taxiway lengths, runway orientation and configuration, terminal size and the number and location of passenger gates. Construction of the air traffic control tower, airport rescue and firefighting buildings, fuel storage facilities and maintenance operations were also addressed.
The report also identifies potential airport growth for the next 20 years, the release said.
"We are one step closer to the South Suburban Airport becoming reality," Gov. Pat Quinn said. "This is an important project that will create jobs in the area, and make this region a major air transportation hub. We look forward to continued work with the FAA and those in the region to get this project underway."
The facility requirements report is the fourth of five chapters needed by the FAA to begin its environmental impact statement, which will ultimately lead to a record of decision, the release said. The final chapter, the alternatives development and evaluation report, will be forwarded to the FAA in early 2011.
"The South Suburban Airport remains a priority for IDOT," Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said. "This latest submission to the FAA means the airport is that much closer to becoming the modern aviation facility and economic engine that we envision."
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