GARY, Ind. (AP): Airport officials in Gary say planes will be able to use an extended main runway at the Gary/Chicago International Airport by June 25.

Project manager Dan Vicari told the airport authority at its Monday meeting that the main runway will now be 8,900 feet long. The current runway is 7,000 feet long, limiting the size of planes that can use the airport.

The runway has been under construction for the last eight years. The project has cost about $174 million. Vicari says there are still environmental issues, but there are agreements with environmental agencies on key aspects of cleanup and containment.

Vicari also says new aviation equipment installed at the end of the new runway extension will have to be tested before planes can land.