BEND, OR -- Preparation begins Wednesday, July 31, for major construction at the Bend Municipal Airport.

Airport Manager Tracy Williams says it will be a significant upgrade for the increasingly busy airport, "The air traffic control tower is approximately $15-million starting with design and leading up to construction".

She tells KBND News a new $3.7-million federal grant helps pay for it, "I am overjoyed! Over the last several months, we have received a number of grants from both federal and state towards four different projects. The largest one is the air traffic control tower." The other three projects are cosmetic but important. "Mostly pavement rehabilitation. Additionally, we will be installing (runway) lights with the new lighting. It will be pilot controlled, but at least medium intensity. So, it will just pop at night," Williams says.

It's set to be complete by October of 2025.

The Federal Aviation Administration is awarding $17,364,442 to the state under the Airport Improvement Program. In addition to Bend, the Redmond Airport got a little over $1.2-million for its ongoing expansion project. Eight other Oregon airports also received funding.