2 major projects in the growth of the Rochelle Municipal Airport should be completed this fall.
The paving along with the lights and stripes for the extension of the runway have been completed. The runway was extended to 5,000 feet. The former length was 4,226 feet.
Work still needs to be done between the old portion of the runway and the extension as they are not level at the present time. Planes are still using the runway each day.
The taxiway has also been paved and striped and work is being done this week on the electrical portion of the project. It should be completed by the end of the month.
City officials plan to sit down in the near future with I-DOT along with the Federal Aviation Administration to talk about the future goals and priorities for Koritiz Field. They include widening and upgrading the runway so it can handle heavier planes. The city is also looking to extend the runway to 6,000 feet.
There has also been some talk about a cross runway at the airport.
Rochelle Avionics' contract comes to an end next month. It will most likely be extended for 1 year with an increase in the lease agreement with the city.
There is currently 1 hangar open which will most likely be filled in the near future. There are currently 35 hangars at the airport.
