$20 million approved to modernize airport-owned ATC towers

The Biden-Harris Administration has approved $20 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to modernize airport-owned air traffic control towers.

According to FAA officials, the $20 million has been awarded to upgrade existing towers or build new control towers at 20 airports across the country spanning 15 states.

The funding will go to smaller and regional airports “to improve safety and support critical aviation operations such as commercial passenger flights, cargo flights, emergency services, agricultural aviation, and flight training,” FAA officials declared.

Among the 20 airports receiving funding:

• $200,000 to Castle Airport in California to replace outdated air traffic control equipment.
• $1.3 million to Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado to replace aging infrastructure under the airport’s Tower Modernization Program.
• $950,000 to Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Connecticut to replace the tower’s roof, HVAC system, windows, and shades, and to upgrade the radio communication system.
• $1.7 million to Gary/Chicago International Airport in Indiana to replace the existing tower. This grant funds the design and engineering costs associated with the new tower and will incorporate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and energy efficiency updates.
• $185,000 to Chennault International Airport in Louisiana to install new drainage systems, concrete, and joint seals at the tower’s base, which will eliminate erosion and reinforce the structure to extend its useful life, as well as replace flooring damaged by persistent interior saturation.
• $500,000 to Acadiana Regional Airport in Louisiana to replace tower communications equipment and modernizing the HVAC system to optimize energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve interior air quality.
• $1.5 million to Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport in Michigan to upgrade multiple tower systems that are nearing the end of life and need replacement, such as required upgrades to communication, weather, HVAC, generator, elevator, and/or cab improvements.
• $900,000 to Missoula County Airport in Montana to fund a portion of the air traffic control tower upgrades including the elevator replacement and associated infrastructure.
• $800,000 to Hickory Regional Airport in North Carolina to replace security and communication systems, windows, and shades, and upgrades to the restrooms.
• $1 million to Coastal Carolina Regional Airport in North Carolina to fund the design of a new federal contract tower.
• $2 million to Smith Reynolds Airport in North Carolina to fund the rehabilitation of the contract tower that was originally constructed in 1941.
• $1.5 million to Boulder City Municipal Airport in Nevada to fund the design for a new tower which will include structural, building mechanical, electrical, plumbing, parking, access, fencing and utility improvements.
• $800,000 to Henderson Executive Airport in Nevada to fund a portion of the rehabilitation and repair the existing tower including the HVAC and elevators.
• $600,000 to Smyrna Airport in Tennessee to fund the design of a new federal contract tower.
• $1.1 million to Valley International Airport in Texas to fund a portion of the interior construction including build outs for ADA accessible facilities, conveyances, and workspaces as well as the acquisition and installation of new tower cab windows.
• $1.7 million to Victoria Regional Airport in Texas to rehabilitate the tower with new energy efficient systems including a new roof, HVAC, windows, and shades as well as updated antenna cabling protection from climatic events and modernization of interior workspace and facilities for accessibility.
• $540,000 to Renton Municipal Airport in Washington to fund the completion of an air traffic control tower siting study with 30% design to replace the existing tower that has exceeded its useful life.
• $1.6 million to Wheeling-Ohio County Airport in West Virginia to rehabilitate the tower, including replacement of cab windows, repairs to the pre-engineered metal building, and addressing water damage resulting in compliance with building codes, fire codes, and FAA requirements.

To see a full list of the airports receiving grants, go to FAA.gov