The Indianapolis Airport has begun construction on a $190 million project to enhance capacity of one of its runways and build a new taxiway.
Airport officials said the project will be an improvement for passenger and cargo planes, and the future of the airport in Indianapolis.
They said the project will create more than 2,700 jobs and more than $14 million has already been spent. Much of the money comes from a grant from the Federal Aviation Authority.
“This is public asset management in its finest form,” Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez said in a news release. “This project will pay dividends to the community for decades to come and will play a crucial role in Indiana’s economic growth over time.”
The initial phase of the construction is expected to be completed this October, with two additional phases in 2023 and 2024.
“To put it into perspective, the project will use enough concrete to replace the smallest pyramid in Giza, which is equivalent to building a two-lane highway from Indianapolis to Terre Haute,” said Jarod Klaas, IAA senior director of planning and development.
Officials emphasized environmentally friendly materials will be used and existing concrete will be recycled in the new runway, along with new concrete.
“IND will be the first airport in the United States to use this carbon-capturing concrete technology and is another concrete example of our commitment to long-term sustainability," Klaas said.
The project will also add an inch of concrete to the depth of the runway, extending its expected life from 20 to 40 years.
