S. ILLINOIS AIRPORTS TO GET FUNDS

CAIRO, Ill. -- One of the two Alexander County Airport runways will be extended to more than 4,000 feet in 1992.

The airport near Cairo is one of nine Southern Illinois airports that will share federal money set aside for improving air transportation and safety.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard, D-Carterville, said, "The funds are for basic improvement to runways, electrical and lighting systems, and other primary needs of the airports so they can continue to serve the people of Southern Illinois."

Poshard announced federal grants of $2.2 million for nine downstate airport facilities.

The Alexander County Airport will receive $225,000 in federal funds and $12,500 in state funds. Local funds will be provided to match the state funds, for a total of $250.000.

"The funds will be used to extend runway No. 1433 from its existing distance of 3,800 feet to 4,200 feet," said J.C. Childress, a member of the airport board.

Poshard, a member of the Public Works and Transportation Aviation Subcommittee, said the funds would also pay for lighting the additional runway.

The airport has two runways: one at 3,600 feet and the other at 3,800.

A number of corporate jets, including King Air, Lear Jet, Cessna Citation and DC-3s, land at the Cairo facility each month.

The federal funds are a return on an investment made by people who travel and by aviation enthusiasts, said Paul Kramer, programming engineer for the Illinois Division of Aeronautics.

"The funds for these grants come from the Aviation Trust Fund," said Kramer. "This is a tax collected on aviation fuel. Illinois is one of three states selected for a three-year program of reinvestment in airport improvement funds. 1992 marks the third year for the program."

"Basically, we get a block of money and reinvest it at various airports," said Kramer. "This is part of a continuing program to get all aviation airports to the minimum of 4,000 feet in length.

"The Cairo airport expansion will be 400 feet by 100 feet," said Kramer. "Including the extra lighting, the estimated cost will be $250,0000. This will fit into specifications for most small, corporate aircraft."

Kramer said he anticipates that the design and planing work will be completed by late 1992.

The Southern Illinois Airport near Carbondale will receive $765,000 in federal funds. With $42,500 each from state and local, the total will be $850,000.

Other downstate airports that will get grants include Benton Municipal Airport, Sparta Community Airport and St. Louis Downtown-Parks Airport at Cahokia.