Governor Jim Doyle has approved $242,105 to assist with a parallel taxiway project at the Merrill Municipal Airport. The Governor’s action releases $6,052 in state funds to construct a parallel taxiway along Runway 7/25 and to develop a new terminal area. The city of Merrill is contributing $6,053 and the Federal Aviation Administration is providing $230,000.

According to Eric Johnson, P.E., airport development engineer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the parallel taxiway project will greatly improve the safety of both air operations and ground movements of aircraft at the airport. The development of a new terminal area along the new parallel taxiway will provide economic opportunities for the airport and city of Merrill.

The Merrill Municipal Airport is located approximately one mile northwest of the city. It has two runways, 15 hangars and a terminal building. Twenty-four aircraft are based at the airport, which reports about 22,000 take-offs and landings each year.

The project is scheduled to begin this summer and should be completed by October 2010.