NORWICH – The Lt. Warren Eaton Airport in Norwich will get a slightly new look in the coming months, thanks largely to the recent announcement of $517,000 to be received in grant funding through the United States Department of Transportation.

United States Representative Richard Hanna (22nd District) announced last week that the airport has been selected for the competitive grant which will provide necessary upgrades to the facility, including a taxiway lighting system and rotating beacon. According to local authorities, lighting upgrades are a necessary component in maintaining the local airport and serve a valuable purpose in attracting business flyers as well as hobbyists.

“I am pleased that the Lt. Warren Eaton Airport received this much-needed grant to help improve airfield operations during low visibility conditions,” Hanna said in a media statement. “General aviation plays an important role in upstate New York’s economy and this competitive award for the airport will help keep pilots and passengers safe during their travels.”

The Lt. Warren Eaton Airport is currently operating without a taxiway lighting system and the rotating beacon, originally installed in 1990, has seriously deteriorated. The taxiway runs parallel to the runway and keeps traffic off the runway while planes radio and await runway availability.