Little Rock’s Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport is building a $5.2 million canopy to shield visitors from harsh weather.
Airport officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the project, set to be complete in fall of 2025. The total cost will be $5,244,193, $4 million of which will be paid through congressional appropriation funding. Grants from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will cover $700,000 more, and the Clinton National airport will pay the remaining $500,000.
Steven C. Baker is the airport’s executive director. Speaking after the groundbreaking, he said he was grateful for the congressional delegation helping to “bring more businesses to the community.”
“When we get the support of the congressional delegation as we did for this project it means that we get the resources that we need to do our projects at less cost,” Baker said. “The lower the cost, the more attractive the facility is for airlines to come in.”
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. also gave thanks to the delegation, and to Airport Commission Chair Bill Walker, who Scott credited with leading the airport in a time of crisis when then-director Brian Malinowski died after being shot during an ATF raid on his home.
Walker also thanked Arkansas’ representatives in Congress and described the airport as a “vital gateway” to the capital city.
“The airport is a critical part of the city’s infrastructure and is the economic development engine for the entirety of Central Arkansas.” Walker said.
Executive Director Baker said the construction will require narrowing the drop-off and pick up roadway, which he acknowledged will increase congestion.
“We’re repositioning the drop-off lanes to be on the outer curb,” Baker said. “The inner lane will take you through to arriving passengers with luggage.”
He recommended drivers use the airport’s cell-phone lot to contact arriving passengers instead of waiting in the roadway.
The Clinton National Airport plans to start construction in January and finish before the holiday season next year. Baker said the new canopy will improve travelers’ experience.
“This will give passengers a great arrival at our airport, they’ll be able to come in, be covered, get into the facility with their luggage and not be exposed to the wind, the rain, the snow, the ice, basically get them on their way a little bit warmer, a little bit drier.”
Over two million people travel through the airport each year.