b'A significant amount of airfield construction occurred from 2004 to 2012, including full reconstruction of the primary runway, 9-27. During most of that project, Runway 5-23 was closed. When it reopened in fall 2012, a spike of runway incursions occurred in the following months. Aircraft were exiting Runway 9-27 onto Runway 5-23 or Runway 13-31 instead of the intended taxiways.Following recommendations from project engineers, the airport closed three taxiways plus one portion of another, and installed shoulder markings on Runway 9-27. After the changes, no intersection incursions occurred from 2015 to 2017. However, when the FAA released its Runway Incursion Mitigation program in 2015, MLI was at the top of the list of airfields that needed to be improved. Simply put, a more permanent solution was required.In 2017, Crawford, Murphy & Tilly recommended shortening Runway 5-23 to 3,500 feet to decouple it from the triple runway intersection. The firms analysis also suggested full removal of several taxiways; realignment and straightening of Taxiway A; and construction of a new Runway 23 taxiway end connector.Besides the taxiway work, engineers recommended other improvements that could be performed simultaneously, such as relocating various sewer lines and removing, relocating and reconfiguring airfield lighting, signage and navigation aids, including the wind cone for Runway 23 and a precision-approach path indicator. End-of-project elements included applying new pavement markings and landscaping restoration. Airport officials signed off on the proposal, and a $10 million FAA grant was received in September 2021. Valley Construction spent the winter of 2021-2022 planning for the project and was ready to begin work in April 2022.Key requirements included: Separating Runway 5-23 from the triple runway intersection without impacting commercial air service. Much of this work was consequently performed at night, over a 45-day period. Maintaining functionality of Taxiway A,the primary taxiway for Runway 9-27, for as long as possible, to minimize operational impact. May | June 2023AirportImprovement.com'