DuPage Airport in West Chicago completed an $11.4 million runway improvement that will make it a more hospitable destination for the latest class of large-cabin business jets, airport officials announced late last week. Under the project, the airport’s 7,570-foot-long Runway 2L-20R was widened to 150 feet from 100 feet, providing a greater safety margin in crosswinds. Funded entirely without state or federal money, the six-month project, which also involved rehabilitation of the pavement, was completed a month ahead of schedule and half a million dollars under budget. The runway handles 70 percent of DuPage’s operations.

“With two runways capable of accommodating the largest business jets, we’re heavily investing at DuPage to build for the future and capture forecasted business aviation growth. The project made use of 18,000 tons of removed concrete that was crushed and reused as subgrade material for the runway’s new shoulders, and additional asphalt material is being stored on site for use in future projects," officials said.

The airport is also constructing a new 30,000-sq-ft transient hangar for its owned FBO, the lone provider on the field, capable of sheltering ultra-long-range Gulfstreams and Bombardier Globals.