VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Willow Run Airport, located in both Van Buren and Ypsilanti townships, has been awarded millions of federal dollars to build a new taxiway.
The Federal Aviation Administration is awarding $12.8 million to the Metro Detroit airport to build a 6,720 parallel taxiway to “eliminate the need for aircraft to back-taxi on the runway,” officials announced Wednesday. The money is part of $121 million awarded to airports throughout the U.S. that will be used to help prevent confusion and errors on the runway.
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Other airports will use the money to reconfigure confusing taxiways, install lighting systems, and “provide more flexibility on the airfield,” officials said.
The news comes soon after a plane crash occurred near the airport, though no evidence has suggested the crash was at all related to runway issues. On Aug. 13, a fighter jet performing in the Thunder Over Michigan air show at the airport crashed into a field nearby and landed beside an apartment building. Officials preliminarily said the crash was caused by engine issues.
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The Southeast Michigan airport is used for cargo, corporate and “general aviation,” officials say, but doesn’t handle any major passenger flights.