As Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety and design standards continue to evolve, Waukegan National Airport’s existing Runway 5/23 is no longer fully compliant with those guidelines. To provide a runway that fully adheres to FAA criteria, the Waukegan National Airport has proposed a new replacement runway that enhances safety, brings the airport into compliance, and protects and serves airport users and the surrounding community. Throughout the FAA’s ongoing environmental review, the Waukegan National Airport has worked diligently to revise and refine the runway safety project to meet new and updated federal safety standards. We are grateful for the Lake County community’s continued patience and support, and we are pleased to move this important safety project forward with renewed clarity from our federal, state and local partners.
The following link will direct you to a preliminary environmental analysis. A 6,000-foot replacement runway will be constructed 400 feet to the northwest of the existing runway centerline to adhere to runway safety and object free area criteria. The 6,000-foot replacement runway will require a grade separation over Illinois Route 131-Green Bay Road through the construction of a tunnel. Portions of the existing Runway 5/23 will be repurposed as a future compliant parallel taxiway to the replacement runway and will be grade separated over Illinois Route 131 with a bridge.
Preliminary Environmental Analysis Link
Download Environmental Analysis Here
An environmental analysis, once approved for public coordination by the FAA, will be the subject of a Public Hearing. The date and location of the public hearing will be announced on this website and in other media. Click the button below to submit preliminary feedback and questions regarding the Environmental Analysis linked above. Please note, any feedback/questions submitted prior to the published announcement of the formal public hearing and public comment period will not be included in the final record.