The Scotts Bluff County airport board has approved final plans to expand the terminal at the Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff.

Scottsbluff radio station KNEB reports that the expansion project on the northeast end of the terminal will provide restrooms and seating for another 185 people in the security area.

Airport manager Darwin Skelton told the board at its meeting Wednesday that the $1.5 million project will improve the facility’s ability to be a diversionary airport for Denver International Airport. Skelton says that when planes can’t land at Denver because of bad weather, for example, the Scottsbluff airport would get fuel flow fees, landing and other fees if it were the diversion destination.

The project is scheduled to begin this summer and be finished by early next year.