Walker signs off on four airport projects

Gov. Scott Walker approved nearly $465,000 worth of improvements at four Wisconsin airports, according to news releases from the state Department of Transportation.

The four projects, which are in Rice Lake, Lancaster, Solon Springs and Stevens Point, are primarily paid for by the Federal Aviation Administration, while the state and local municipalities contribute a small portion.

The following are the four approved projects, according to WisDOT:

• The Rice Lake Regional Airport was cleared for a $158,000 project that includes expansion of a corporate ramp, design of a general aviation ramp and new lighting. Design work is taking place this fall with construction scheduled to start in the spring. The federal government is paying for $150,000 of the project while the state and city of Rice Lake each is paying $4,000.

• A $157,895 project was approved at to buy a parcel of land for future expansion at the Lancaster Municipal Airport. The federal government is paying for $150,000 for the project while the state is paying $3,947 and the city is paying $3,948.

• A $66,843 runway electrical design project was approved at the Solon Springs Municipal Airport in Douglas County. Project planning and design will start this month and be completed by spring, the release stated.  The federal government will pay $63,500 for the project while the state will pay $1,671 and the town and village of Solon Springs are contributing $1,672.

• Walker also approved an $82,000 project that will upgrade Stevens Point Municipal Airport’s automated weather observing station. The project, according to WisDOT, will increase safety for aircraft and be completed by winter. The federal government is paying $77,900 for the project while the state and city pay $2,050.

— Adam Wise