US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced that the Department will invest over 750 million USD to replace a set of eight air traffic control towers and Terminal Radar Approach Controls (TRACONs) across the country with brand-new facilities.
In addition; the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will also provide 85.8 million USD to upgrade Federal Contract Towers (FCTs) at 41 airports across 24 states.
Locations have been chosen based on the safety and efficiency needs of the wider nation’s airspace system, with a number of air traffic facilities now approaching decades of service.
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said:his administration is laser focused on ushering in the Golden Age of Transportation and investing in our aging air traffic control towers is critical to that mission.
Under the last administration’s watch, these facilities were neglected and left to deteriorate rapidly. We need a system and supporting infrastructure that is built for the future to attract top talent for our air traffic control workforce.
Recently, failing infrastructure such as HVAC systems, pest issues, and leaking roofs have led to interruptions in providing air traffic services. In an effort to improve the national situation, the FAA will replace facilities in:
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Greer, South Carolina
- Lawton, Oklahoma
- Pocatello, Idaho
- Sacramento, California
- San Jose, California
- Tamiami, Florida
The FCT Grant Program offers 20 million USD annually over the course of five years to modernise towers, improve infrastructure, and install critical air traffic control and communications equipment at FCTs, which are staffed by contract personnel rather than FAA employees.
Projects funded thus far include:
- Acadiana Regional Airport receiving $915,000 for facility improvements
- Marana Regional Airport receiving $800,000 to support the design of a new sponsor-owned FCT
- Missoula County Airport Authority receiving $1 million to modernise key infrastructure
- Wiley Post Airport receiving $10 million to construct a new sponsor-owned FCT
