The Gary/Chicago International Airport has reopened its main runway after a three-week closure to rebuild much of it.
Airport officials say crews completed work for the $7.9 million runway project on Saturday. The project involved replacing the aging asphalt with concrete on about 4,000 feet of the nearly 9,000-foot-long main runway, along with installing new storm drain piping.
The Gary airport says the project increases the runway's weight limit and allows it to handle larger planes. Crews completed the runway work a day ahead of schedule.
The airport about 25 miles southeast of downtown Chicago is also expecting to open a new customs facility this summer, allowing travelers to fly into Gary from outside the country without having to stop somewhere else to clear customs.
