The Gary/Chicago International Airport landed an $8.3 million federal grant for a new air traffic control tower.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the grant through its Airport Improvement Program. The grant is the last piece in the $18.3 million funding puzzle for the project. A $10 million Federal Aviation Administration grant was awarded in May.
“Over the past decade, GCIA has made significant investments to modernize our infrastructure, and replacing our current tower has remained a key priority to ensure we are equipped to meet the demands of modern aviation,” said airport Executive Director Dan Vicari in a press release.
Officials expect construction to start later this year and be complete by late 2027. About 120 skilled trades workers will build the tower. The project is expected to require an estimated 24,000 hours to construct.
The Gary/Chicago International Airport has been planning a new air traffic control tower since 2022. The FAA approved a siting study and granted $1.7 million for design and engineering in 2024.
The new tower will be about 50 feet taller than the current one, which is 45 feet, to accommodate previous airport upgrades. The current tower was built in 1972.
“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,” Dan Vicari said.
Vicari said that U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan played an integral role in the four-year planning process.
“I appreciate the consistent long-term planning and initiatives of the airport to enhance its infrastructure and services, which will continue to attract new economic activity to the City of Gary and our Region,” Mrvan said. “Let us build on this positive momentum to create more work and wealth for everyone in Northwest Indiana.”
Expansion at the airport began in 2015 when the main runway was expanded to almost 9,000 feet. In 2018, the airport opened a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility, which allowed international fliers to use the airport without seeking customs elsewhere. The FAA approved a master plan for the airport in 2022, and gave the green light to a new traffic control tower that September.
