Gary Airport approved for new air traffic control tower
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The Federal Aviation Administration has approved plans for a new airport traffic control tower at Gary/Chicago International Airport. The $16.4 million project will replace the airport’s existing tower, which was built in 1972.
The airport said in a news release that plans to replace the existing tower began two years ago and concluded in early September with the FAA’s formal approval of a required siting study report.
The current tower remains functional but has become increasingly obsolete and inefficient, according to the airport.
“We are thrilled to receive approval for this critical project, and this significant investment in our airport infrastructure will enhance our air traffic management abilities,” Airport Executive Director Dan Vicari said in the release. “The new control tower will not only improve operational efficiency but also provide our dedicated air traffic controllers with the tools they need to manage our skies safely.”
The new tower will be about 50 feet taller than the existing tower and feature state-of-the-art technology, including advanced radar systems and communication tools, the airport said.
With the FAA approval, the airport will begin designing and engineering the new tower, and construction is slated to begin in the fall of 2025. Work is projected to be complete in the summer of 2026.
The project is the latest in a series of improvements over the last few years for the Gary Airport.
In June, officials broke ground on a new, $12 million hangar that will be leased to Valparaiso-based Wingtip Aviation. The previous month, the airport celebrated its 500th international arrival since opening its Customs and Border Protection facility in 2018.