FAA breaks ground on new air traffic control tower and radar facility in Cleveland

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Randy Babbitt broke ground today on a new $69 million air traffic control tower and Terminal Radar Approach Control facility at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, representing a significant investment in the future of air traffic control. The new tower will replace one that has served the airport since 1988.

“Rebuilding and expanding our aviation infrastructure is critical for our nation’s economy,” said Secretary LaHood. “The American Jobs Act will upgrade our airports and runways, create good-paying jobs and lay the groundwork for a modern air transportation system that keeps our nation economically competitive and provides the service that passengers deserve.”

“Airports are economic engines for our country. These investments in airport infrastructure have both efficiency and safety benefits,” said Administrator Babbitt. “The new location for the Cleveland tower gives controllers a better view of airport operations and will ensure that they are prepared for the future of air traffic control.”

Facility construction is scheduled to be completed in 2014 and is expected to generate nearly 100 new construction jobs.

The new 324-foot-tall tower will be equipped with the latest aviation technology to prepare for the FAA’s transformation to the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen. The technology will give air traffic controllers more precise, system wide information about weather and flight data.

The Cleveland facility will include a tower cab with eight air traffic positions where controllers direct aircraft in and around Hopkins airport and a radar facility that controls air traffic in a 30-mile area around the Cleveland metropolitan region. In 2010, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport handled more than 194,000 aircraft arrivals and departures.

President Obama’s American Jobs Act includes $1 billion to continue research and development to advance NextGen. The act also proposes $2 billion for airport improvements for runways, taxiways and terminals.

FAA Fact Sheet

New Air Traffic Control Tower and TRACON at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Facility Groundbreaking: Oct. 2011
Estimated Commissioning: late Fall 2014

Features of the New Tower and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON):

• FAA air traffic and technical operations personnel will be based at the facility.
• Approximately 324 feet to the top of the tower’s roof.
• A tower cab floor area of approximately 867 square feet.
• Tower cab will feature eight controller work stations.
• A TRACON floor area of 55,592 square feet.
• TRACON will accommodate up to 22 controller work stations.
• Total projected cost, including design, construction, and equipment, is approximately $69 million in federal funding.

Current Cleveland Hopkins Air Traffic Control Tower:

• Approximately 198 feet to the top of the tower’s roof.
• Tower cab floor size: 605 square feet.
• Commissioning Date: 1988 for tower, 1987 for TRACON.
• Current Cleveland facility has eight controller work stations in the tower and 15 stations in the TRACON.