The Gary/Chicago Airport Authority awarded a $16 million contract Wednesday to Larson-Danielson Construction, of LaPorte, for the construction of a new air traffic control tower.
Brian Larson, president of Larson-Danielson, told authority members the tower is precast with a cap on the top. He said the construction timeline of about 22 months is dependent on foundation installations and the time it will take to get the precast tower onsite.
He estimated work could begin by the end of the month.
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Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded a $10 million grant toward the tower’s construction.
The new tower will be located near the existing tower that’s been in operation since 1972.
The FAA grant is part of a program to provide airports with modernized air traffic control facilities.
The airport’s existing tower is still functional, but officials said it’s becoming increasingly obsolete and inefficient.
Planning to replace it began in 2022.
The new tower will be about 50 feet taller than the existing tower and provide direct line-of-sight of the expanded airfield. It will have new upgraded technology including advanced radar systems and communication tools to better support air traffic controllers in managing flight operations.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.