Pocatello Airport to get brand-new Control Tower in $750M Federal Air Traffic Control overhaul

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) — The air traffic control tower at the Pocatello Regional Airport is officially getting a massive, state-of-the-art upgrade.

Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the department is investing over $750 million to replace eight aging air traffic control towers and Terminal Radar Approach Controls across the country with brand-new facilities. The Pocatello Regional Airport was selected alongside just seven other national locations, including cities like Sacramento and San Jose, California, based on the safety and efficiency needs of the nation’s airspace system.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), many of the country's current air traffic facilities are decades old and suffering from failing infrastructure. In a press release, Duffy took aim at the past administration, saying the investment highlights administration is "laser-focused" on ushering in a Golden Age of Transportation.

“Under the last administration’s watch, these facilities were neglected and left to deteriorate rapidly. We need a system and supporting infrastructure that is built for the future to attract top talent for our air traffic control workforce," said Duffy.

According to the release, the new towers will feature modern equipment as part of a broader Brand-New Air Traffic Control System being built by the current administration.

“Our controllers are the best in the world, and they deserve to work in the best, most modern facilities,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “These investments will replace aging infrastructure with modern, state-of-the-art towers and equipment that strengthens safety, improves reliability, and supports the future of the National Airspace System.”

In addition, the FAA is also rolling out a separate $85.8 million grant program to upgrade 41 Federal Contract Towers (FCTs) across 24 states.

Projects include:

• Acadiana Regional Airport receiving $915,000 for facility improvements
• Marana Regional Airport receiving $800,000 to support the design of a new sponsor-owned FCT
• Missoula County Airport Authority receiving $1 million to modernize key infrastructure
• Wiley Post Airport receiving $10 million to construct a new sponsor-owned FCT

For more information, click HERE.