LA POINTE -- The Madeline Island Airport and its sole county highway received a $3.29 million shot in the arm Monday.
Gov. Jim Doyle announced the grants during a stop at the Madeline Island Pier on Monday. The stop was one of nearly two dozen planned during the governor's annual Up North tour.
"To grow Wisconsin, I am committed to providing Wisconsin communities with the railways, airports, harbors, roads, and technological resources they need to grow," Doyle said. "This funding will improve access to Madeline Island, one of Wisconsin's most beautiful areas, for visitors and residents alike."
Other transportation grants include:
- $2.1 million federal grant to repave nearly the entire length of County Highway H, the island's sole county highway. The funds are provided by the Surface Transportation Rural Program (STP-R), which is used to improve federally-eligible highways in rural areas. U.S. Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wis., helped secure the funding.
- $1.19 million in grants to fund several projects to improve the Madeline Island Airport. The first project includes funding for the engineering and construction of snow removal equipment building and two snow removal bays.
The second project provides funds for planning and design engineering services to reconstruct the airport's primary runway, parking lot, and hangar taxiways. Funding will also be provided to purchase aggregate materials for future expansion projects. The projects are scheduled to be completed by November 2009.
The Town of La Pointe is providing local matching funds for the airport project. The state Department of Transportation is providing $30,000 for the project, and La Pointe is contributing $30,000. The Federal Aviation Administration is providing more than $1.1 million for the projects.
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The Madeline Island Airport has a 3,000-foot paved runway, and it serves as a major source of transportation between the island and the mainland whenever boat transportation is not available.
Five single engine aircraft are based at the airport, and approximately 8,100 take-offs and landings occur at the airport each year.
