ST. CLAIR COUNTY – Senator Christopher Belt celebrated a $5.4 million investment for improvements at the St. Louis Downtown Airport that will improve safety, reliability, and efficiency while boosting airport business and global competitiveness.

“With St. Louis Downtown Airport being one of the busiest airports outside of Chicago, the need for projects to keep up with demand is essential,” said State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea). “As downstate Illinois expands, we have to continue investing in its infrastructure. These projects will improve production safety, reliability and efficiency, which will be vital for Metro East residents for years to come.”

The foreground of improvements at the airport are a ground run-up and compass calibration pad that include new airfield pavement with jet blast deflectors. These updates are vital as St. Louis Downtown Airport, located in St. Clair County, is one of the busiest general aviation airports in Illinois outside of the Chicago area.

The airport is essential as it is a key component of local and state economies, contributing more than $422 million in economic impact for the region annually, including more than 1,500 jobs. $5 million of the project will be funded through the Belt-supported Rebuild Illinois Program, with a local contribution of $400,000.

Construction started last year and is expected to wrap up in June.