Madras Municipal Airport is getting a much-needed injection of federal funding to start replacing its aging weather monitoring equipment. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week that the airport will receive $102,769 as part of a nearly $19 million statewide investment in Oregon aviation infrastructure.
The money will fund the design phase of a new Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) — a critical piece of equipment that provides real-time weather data to pilots, helping them make safe decisions about flight conditions at the airport.
A System Past Its Prime
Airport Manager Lorraine Martinelli said the current system is nearing the end of its usable life.
"We are honored that Madras Municipal Airport has been awarded a federal grant through the Department of Transportation, which will allow us to make critical improvements to our airport's weather system infrastructure," Martinelli said. "The funding will provide for the design phase of the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) replacement."
The existing AWOS is no longer serviceable, according to airport officials, and the replacement is considered critical for both pilot safety and the airport's role in regional operations — including emergency response, agricultural aviation, and general aviation access to Jefferson County.
Part of a Bigger Oregon Picture
The Madras grant is one piece of a broader $18.9 million federal investment across eight Oregon airports announced jointly by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and several House members. The largest share — over $13 million — goes to Portland International Airport for runway and taxiway upgrades.
Senator Merkley highlighted the importance of investing in smaller regional airports like Madras.
"Whether flying for recreation or business, Oregonians' access to safe, reliable air travel is vital to driving Oregon's economy forward, growing local tourism and providing essential lifelines during emergencies," Merkley said.
What's Next
The current funding covers only the design phase. Madras Municipal Airport plans to apply for additional federal construction grants in 2027 to fund the full installation of the replacement system. The airport is located east of Madras off Airport Way and serves general aviation, charter, agricultural, and emergency operations for the Jefferson County area.
For pilots and local aviation users, the timeline for the actual physical replacement is still to be determined, pending the completion of the design phase and a successful construction grant application.