Federal grant will restore airfield at Milwaukee international airport

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The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport announced on Tuesday it will receive $8.5 million from the federal government to rehabilitate its airfield.

The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a 2021 measure that funded infrastructure projects across the country.

“Our world-class Airport is one of our community’s greatest assets, and it’s fantastic that Milwaukee County is able to take advantage of this nationwide investment in America’s airports,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said in a statement. “These funds will be used to enhance the safe and efficient movement of aircraft from touchdown to takeoff,” he added.

“It’s great that MKE successfully obtained this funding, which helps us reduce bonding, offset future maintenance costs and improve airfield safety,” Airport Director Brian Dranzik said in a statement.

The federal government awarded Wisconsin airports a total of $38 million through the FAA’s Airport Improvements Grants program. Milwaukee got the largest allocation, followed by airports in Madison, Appleton and Green Bay.

The airport is using $5.1 million from a separate government grant to replace the roof of Concourse D. That allocation was made through the FAA’s Airport Terminals Program.

Earlier this year, the Milwaukee airport had plans to remove two of its runways.