Thu, Nov 15, 2007
Construction Expected To Begin In 2010
Proponents of a new control tower
for Palm Springs International Airport in California received some
good news from the FAA Wednesday -- the agency plans to approve a
site for the new tower in January.
But that doesn't mean a new tower for PSP is in the immediate
future. Even with a site selected in early 2008, construction on
the new facility won't start until 2010, reports KNBC-4. The tower
would open after two years after that.
Still, that's better than nothing... and there's little
disagreement the current tower is inadequate for the fast-growing
airport.
"It's taking it up a notch, and the best part is, the FAA is
fully funding it," PSP executive director Thomas Nolan said. "The
existing tower was built in 1967 and it's time for modernization by
building a tower with cutting-edge equipment and better
visibility."
The new tower will be 157 feet tall -- over twice the height of
the current 67-foot tower. Airport officials would prefer the tower
be located at midfield, near the current facility, though that
decision will come in January.
Palm Springs Communications Director Cindy Uken says the new
tower is expected to give controllers better sight lines for ground
operations at PSP, as well as more advanced equipment to monitor
traffic in the airspace around the airport.
PSP is gaining popularity with commercial travelers. Through the
first half of 2007, the airport saw a 4.5 percent increase in
passenger traffic.
A total of 845,313 passengers arrived or departed the airport
through that time, said Uken.
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