The Gary/Chicago International Airport is witnessing a significant transformation with a new air traffic control tower. This change has been a decade-long necessity, gaining urgency when the airport launched its expanded $174 million runway 11 years ago. The current 54-year-old, 50-foot tower fails to provide optimal visibility for controllers monitoring jets on the extended runway, according to Executive Director Dan Vicari.
The new tower, scheduled to open in about 22 months, will surpass the existing structure by 50 feet. This enhancement aims to offer controllers a clearer view across the entire runway, thus improving safety and efficiency for incoming flights. Recognizing the previous tower as outdated and inefficient, Vicari emphasized the importance of increased height as a fundamental need.
The funding for the new tower came through several stages. In 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration granted $1.7 million for design and engineering, with the airport being one of 20 chosen from 80 applicants. The FAA contributed an additional $10 million for construction in May, followed by an $8.3 million grant last month. The construction contract, valued at $16 million, was awarded to Larson-Danielson Construction from LaPorte.
Vicari highlighted that the tower represents years of strategic planning, collaboration, and investments. The new structure is set to boost aviation growth and maintain the airport’s role as a vital economic contributor for Northwest Indiana and the Chicago region. The current tower will be demolished once the new structure is operational.
Vanessa Allen-McCloud, a member of the airport authority, remarked on the decade-spanning efforts to improve the airport. She noted the project’s broader impact, noting the partnerships and investments contributing to its fruition. Recent developments at the airport include a new $24 million, 55-acre air cargo campus, occupied by UPS, with FedEx planning a $60 million distribution center.
Currently, the tower operates with six controllers, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The new facility will provide added features, such as conference rooms, offices, two restrooms, a break room, and a mechanical room, not present in the older structure. With the completion of the new tower, Vicari confirmed the old tower located to the west will be dismantled.
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