The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $20m to 20 airport-owned airport traffic control towers across the United States, spanning 17 states. The funding will be used to upgrade existing or build new control towers. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law goes 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.
“These investments expand the resources available to airports and help ensure airport traffic control towers across the country and the men and women who work in them are able to effectively do their jobs and communicate with pilots,” said FAA associate administrator for airports, Shannetta R Griffin. “Not only does this help improve safety at our airports, but it creates good-paying jobs and helps boost local economies.”
Recipients of the funding
Airports receiving funding include Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport in Arizona, which will receive $2m for airport traffic control tower (ATCT) improvements identified in the ATCT Facility Needs Assessment that was funded by an FY2023 FAA Contract Tower grant. Improvements include fire protection, FAA communications and other equipment, security, electrical, mechanical, interior enhancements, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The University of Oklahoma - Max Westheimer Airport in Norman, Oklahoma, will also receive $2m to go towards the construction of a new ATCT. The replacement will correct line of sight and security issues, meet ADA compliance, and be fitted with energy efficient HVAC and associated systems.
A $2m award will fund a portion of the construction of for a new replacement ATCT to correct the line of sight, ensure ADA compliance, and address structural integrity issues at Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas.
Smaller awards include $360,000 to Caldwell Executive Airport in Idaho to fund the preliminary design and environmental study for a new ATCT, $350,000 to Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field in Michigan for improvements to the existing ATCT, and $254,372 to Lawrence J Timmerman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for ATCT improvements including replacement windows, exterior doors, metal facade panels and insulation.
The funding is from the FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grants Federal Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program, and comes on the heels of nearly $1bn in funding for 114 airports across the country through the Airport Terminals Program.
