04.04.24

Durbin Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony for Quad Cities International Airport's Terminal Renovation Program

MOLINE – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Quad Cities International Airport’s (MLI) terminal renovation program, Project GATEWAY, which includes major renovations to the landside terminal, ticketing lobby, and baggage claim. The first stage of the renovation, Project One, begins this month and focuses on removing security screening equipment from the ticketing lobby and modernizing airline ticket counters.

“Project GATEWAY exemplifies the transformative impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Durbin. “Through this historic legislation, we have secured critical funding to revitalize our nation’s infrastructure, laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth and prosperity. From removing outdated security screening equipment to modernizing airline ticket counters, the upgrades being made to MLI will improve efficiency and safety, enhancing the overall passenger experience.”

“I want to thank Senator Durbin for his support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which has led us to today’s groundbreaking on Project GATEWAY,” said Benjamin Leischner, A.A.E., Executive Director of MLI. “Were it not for these new funding streams, the work we are starting today would likely look quite different. We are grateful for his continued commitment to strengthening infrastructure in our country, and the unique needs of aviation within that infrastructure. The updates we will make to the Quad Cities’ hometown airport, which serves a region of more than 400,000 people, will have a lasting impact for generations to come.”

Durbin helped secure $13 million in federal funding for MLI through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program. The BIL provides $15 billion for airport-related projects through the Airport Infrastructure Grant program, which provides MLI with $2.8 million annually through 2026. This is in addition to the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program that provides more than $3.18 billion annually in grant dollars.

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