The Gary/Chicago International Airport is eyeing federal funding to build a new air traffic control tower.
On Wednesday, the airport authority agreed to spend about $75,000 for a study with the Federal Aviation Administration to analyze data to develop a new location for the tower.
Airport executive director Dan Vicari told the board the first step in gaining federal funding is identifying a site for the new tower to replace the airport’s aging tower, south of its main runway.
The initial plan will include a 3D model, said Ken Ross, an engineer with NGC Corp. “They’re getting lots of requests for new towers. We’re getting our name on the list early,” he said.
Competition is ramping up for airport funding identified in the 2021 federal infrastructure law.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
