The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently awarded more than $750 million to replace eight air traffic control towers and terminal radar approach controls and $85.8 million to upgrade federal contract towers (FCTs) at 41 airports in 24 states.
“Our controllers are the best in the world and they deserve to work in the best, most modern facilities,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. “These investments will replace aging infrastructure with modern, state-of-the-art towers and equipment that strengthens safety, improves reliability, and supports the future of the National Airspace System.”
The selected facilities are located in Florida, Idaho, Oklahoma, North Dakota and South Carolina. Replacement locations were selected based on the safety and efficiency needs. New towers will have modern equipment. Facility-upgrade projects will replace obsolete tower equipment.
Over five years, the FCT Grant Program will provide $20 million annually to modernize towers, improve infrastructure, and install critical air traffic control and communications equipment at FCTs that are staffed by contract personnel instead of FAA employees.
Awardees include:
Wiley Post Airport was awarded $10 million to build a new sponsor-owned FCT.
Missoula County Airport Authority was awarded $1 million to modernize key infrastructure.
Acadiana Regional Airport was awarded $915,000 for facility improvements.