Decorah Airport could be getting a new parking lot and entrance road

The entrance and parking lot at the Decorah Airport could be getting a new look this summer.

Airport Manager Mike Connell says the Airport Commission has approved plans for a wider and deeper parking lot at the airport which can handle the increased traffic the airport has been getting.  The construction project would also improve the airport entrance road off Highway 9.

Connell says federal inspectors have said the current parking lot is "substandard" because of numerous cracks and patches.  Federal aviation funds will be available to pay for most of the costs of the project.

The Decorah City Council will be asked later this month to approve the project and set a date for opening bids.  Connell says if everything goes according to schedule, the new facilities should be in place by Labor Day.