Chris Holman welcomes Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority, Lansing, MI, into the MBN Studio for their July 2023 conversation.

Watch Nicole and Chris discuss several improvements recently announced for CRAA, the Capital Region Airport Authority, and the Capital Region International Airport in the YouTube video shared below:

In their conversation, Chris looked to find out several things from Nicole;

Welcome back Nicole, I understand the Lansing airport recently receives $9.4 million in state funding for roadway improvements, can you tell us about that?

Can you share with the audience about the economic development that this project can enhance?

What other ways of land utilization and development are underway at LAN?

What other advancements can the airport point to at this point, did I hear something about additional flights?

CRAA also shared a release on the recent state funding announcement: 

LANSING, Mich.— The Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA) on Thursday, June 29th announced that they secured $9.4 million in state funding for vital roadway improvements surrounding the Capital Region International Airport (LAN). This funding was included in the fiscal year 2024 state budget that was approved by the Michigan Legislature on Wednesday.

The roadway improvements are necessary to support future economic development opportunities at the airport and to accommodate increased semi-truck traffic, cargo traffic, and standard vehicle traffic utilizing airport-owned roadways on a daily basis. 

“As we continue to focus on land utilization and development opportunities at LAN, along with expanding our cargo operations, these roadway improvements are crucial to support the increased commercial and trucking traffic we anticipate seeing on airport-owned roadways,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the CRAA. “This funding would not have been possible without the support of Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony and House Appropriations Chair Angela Witwer, as well as our other local and state partners, and we want to thank them for their continued support.” 

The roadway project will upgrade Port Lansing Road from Global Logistics Drive to Airport Road and Capital City Blvd., as well as Capital City Blvd. from Grand River Ave. to Circle Drive, enhancing safety for larger trucks, ensuring smoother traffic flow, and supporting the development of airport-owned property. Key improvements will include the introduction of a traffic circle at the intersection of Port Lansing Road and Capital City Blvd., the straightening of curves for more efficient navigation by large vehicles, and bringing the roadways up to Class A specifications. Storm sewer structure replacements and environmental enhancements will also be incorporated, along with signage and marking upgrades to ensure improved navigation and road safety.

Additionally, the project will include the installation of a pedestrian walkway spanning the full length of Capital City Blvd., from Grand River Ave. to the terminal building. There is currently no sidewalk or pedestrian pathway along Capital City Blvd. The pedestrian walkway will increase access and provide a safe pathway to tenant buildings and the terminal building for employees, visitors, and individuals who utilize public transportation options. The walkway will include seating areas, benches, and natural landscaping elements for added visual appeal and functionality. 

These roadway improvements will ensure the airport is poised to meet the demands of a growing aviation and logistics industry and other economic development efforts in the mid-Michigan region, reinforcing the airport’s position as a key regional transportation hub. 

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The Capital Region Airport Authority owns and operates the Capital Region International Airport (LAN), Mason Jewett Field Airport (TEW), and Port Lansing – a global logistics center and mid-Michigan’s only U.S. Port of Entry. The Capital Region International Airport is an important asset in the mid-Michigan community, driving $1 billion annually in economic impact with 700 people employed at the airport. The airport welcomes more than 352,000 visitors each year to connect throughout the country and the world. In addition to providing corporate and general aviation, the Capital Region International Airport moves 63.5 million pounds of cargo annually and is one of two airports in the state with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Federal Inspection Station. Port Lansing, mid-Michigan’s only U.S. Port of Entry and home to Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #275 covering eight counties, also features a 48,000-square-foot cargo facility and container freight station, and 425 acres of ready-to-develop land. For more information, go to FlyLansing.com and visit the airport’s Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts.