MARCO ISLAND, Fla. - A windfall for the Marco Island Airport. It just received a $5.5 million dollar grant to make a taxiway for airplanes, and some say the project is long overdue.

Right now, planes have to use the runway to taxi to the airport's main building.

Bob Tweedie with the airport says this becomes a major safety hazard because planes either have to circle or extend their traffic pattern in order to wait for the runway to clear.

Tweedie tells WINK News the new lane may mean more traffic, but not larger aircraft.

Work is expected to start on the project by this December and be ready for use by next season.