GARY, Ind. (AP) _ Officials at the Gary airport say the final pavement has been laid as part of a $174.1 million extension of its main runway.

The (Munster) Times (http://bit.ly/1dOub8U ) reports the project is meant to give Gary/Chicago International Airport the ability to handle larger planes. Interim airport director Dan Vicari says the expanded runway will open June 25 as planned. Planes have been using the existing length of the runway.

Airport spokeswoman Emily Tapia-Lopez says the remaining construction projects deal with environmental remediation.

 The expansion has been in the works since 2006. Officials are planning an invitation-only “opening ceremony'' July 10, a day before the return of the Gary Air Show after a two-year absence.