RHINELANDER, Wis. (WSAW) – A multi-million dollar construction project is underway at the Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport.

Air traffic to and from the airport is not affected by the current construction work, although the main runway will be closed in about three weeks.

From September 9 to 27, the main runway will be closed as crews install new lighting systems. These new LED lights will be more reliable for pilots and ground crews, especially during thunderstorms.

Matthew Litner, the airport’s director, says: “The runway will be closed 24 hours a day for 19 days and we will need, for example, 20 electricians per shift to install the new lighting.”

The airport will use a second runway while the main runway is closed. This runway, which is long enough for Delta flights, was already extended in 2006.

According to Litner, they hope to complete the main runway by October.

“It’s 2,000 meters long and 46 meters wide and made of 30 centimeters thick concrete. It’s essentially the same size as the runways at LaGuardia Airport and Reagan National Airport in Washington DC, so it can accommodate very large aircraft,” Litner said.

The $12 million project is being funded largely by the FAA through the creation of user fee funds, which include fuel, ticket and freight taxes, and overflight fees.

Litner explained: “It is conceivable that the money will even come from international sources to finance this project locally and regionally here in the Rhineland.”

Litner says he hopes people are happy with the changes.

“I hope they see progress as something that will enrich their experience,” he said.

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