FAA Approves Funds To Replace Leaky Structure

After years of delayed flights, outdated equipment and ground controllers being unable to see certain parts of the runway at one of the nation's busiest airports, New York's LaGuardia Airport will soon be getting a new control tower.

Senator Charles Schumer told officials with the airport Friday the FAA has allocated $40 million in unused Department of Transportation funds to build the new tower. The plans should be complete by next month, he added, and construction is set to begin this summer.

In addition to offering more room for controllers to work in, the new tower will also be more than 100 feet higher than the current tower, which was built in 1964.

"[The old tower] is a technical, structural disaster," said Phil Barbarello, vice president for the Eastern Region of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. "This is long overdue."

The current tower has become increasingly troublesome over the last 10 years, as leaky ceilings dumped water onto ATC equipment. The leaks required LaGuardia crews to install tarps over the roof.

Controllers can't put their umbrellas away yet, however: the new tower isn't expected to be completed until 2009 -- and much more than just a new tower is needed at LGA, say some officials.

"Terminals need to be widened, runways need to be lengthened and air traffic needs to be lowered," said City Council member Peter Vallone Jr. to Newsday.

Total cost of the tower will be about $60 million, according to FAA spokeswoman Arlene Murray. The balance of the money -- $20 million -- will come from an FAA fund that's been set up to build the tower.

FMI: www.panynj.gov/aviation/lgaframe.HTM