The Gary/Chicago International Airport is taking significant steps to enhance its operations with a new air traffic control tower. This decision gained momentum with the opening of the expanded runway, which cost $174 million, 11 years ago. Executive Director Dan Vicari highlighted that the previous 50-foot tower, built 54 years ago, provided limited visibility for controllers managing the extended runway.
The new air traffic control tower will rise another 50 feet above the current structure, offering improved views and support for incoming aircraft. Construction for this new tower officially began on Friday, September 18, 2026. Its completion is anticipated in around 22 months, offering renewed efficiency and visibility for air traffic controllers.
According to Vicari, the updates are a product of sustained planning, cooperation, and financial inputs. The funding process involved several stages. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted $1.7 million in 2024 to facilitate design and engineering, which was approved among applications from 80 airports. Later, in May, an additional $10 million from the FAA was secured, with a final $8.3 million grant awarded last month to complete the tower’s construction.
The airport authority previously assigned a $16 million construction contract to Larson-Danielson Construction, located in LaPorte. Vicari emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “The new air traffic control tower will provide the modern infrastructure needed to support future aviation growth, enhance safety and operational efficiency, and ensure GCIA remains a key economic engine for Northwest Indiana and the Chicago region for decades to come.”
As the older tower stands shadowing Friday’s ceremony, it is set to be demolished once the new structure is operational. Vanessa Allen-McCloud, an airport authority member, highlighted the ongoing efforts spanning years, saying that the investments were made with a vision to solidify the airport’s foundation and foster economic benefits.
The region is already seeing upgrades, with a $24 million air cargo campus recently opening on the airport’s northwest side. Occupied by UPS, FedEx plans to establish a $60 million distribution center nearby.
The current six-controller team operates the tower from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The new tower will introduce conference rooms, offices, restrooms, a break room, and a mechanical room unavailable in the old tower. Once the new tower is finalized, the existing tower situated to its west will be removed, streamlining the airport’s operations for future growth.
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