Construction to close GFK commercial air traffic later this summer

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced grants to 18 North Dakota airports totaling over $16.2 million dollars.

The Grand Forks Airport will pick up the largest chunk of change at $6.75 million. The grant is funded under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The intent to fund the project was first announced by the Secretary of Transportation in September of that year.

The money will help fund a runway intersection construction project scheduled for later this summer. GFK Executive Director Ryan Riesinger says the build will force the cancellation of commercial traffic into Grand Forks for about ten days to two weeks. The tentative start day is August 21st. Smaller UND planes will still be able to operate at the local airport.