airtraffic

Author Topic: Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia  (Read 11718 times)

Offline Jason

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Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia
« on: March 01, 2007, 05:38:25 PM »
Finally LaGuardia gets a more attractive control tower.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nylga0301,0,18440.story?track=rss

Quote from: Newsday
Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia
BY DANIEL MASSEY, NEWSDAY STAFF WRITER
lidesk@newsday.com

March 1, 2007

LaGuardia Airport, a linchpin in the national aviation system, will soon have a new state-of-the-art airport traffic control tower, federal and regional aviation officials announced at a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning at the airport's Marine Air Terminal.

LaGuardia's current tower, which is 43 years old and plagued by leaks, will be replaced with a $63 million structure that will have the latest air traffic technology. The changes will improve safety and increase efficiency, officials said.

"To all of the passengers who go through this airport, this new tower is for you," FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey said before shoveling a few scoops of ceremonial dirt in a small sandbox.

The new 233-foot-tall tower will provide controllers with better views of LaGuardia's two runways, improving safety. It will also be equipped with an Airport Surface Detection System, which uses a combination of radar and sensors to display aircraft position and enhance safety.

The new tower is "bound to improve efficiency in terms of flight arrivals and departures," said William DeCota, director of aviation for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. "The old tower is really just old and small. It was built back at a time when air travel was very different."

Blakey said the taller tower will help LaGuardia's air traffic controllers better navigate what is "some of the most difficult and complicated airspace in the country" and that any improvements at LaGuardia would reverberate throughout the country.

LaGuardia is the nation's 17th busiest airport, with more than 406,000 arrivals and departures in 2006, according to FAA statistics.

The tower, to be built across from the central terminal, is scheduled to be completed by April 2009 and fully operational by June 2010.

Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.

Here's the photo that goes along with the story:


At the groundbreaking ceremony for the LaGuardia Airport Traffic Control Tower, at the Marine Air Terminal, an artist's rendering of the tower was displayed.
(Newsday Photo/Julia Gaines from Handout)



Offline Pearson

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Re: Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2007, 05:47:56 PM »
That looks hot!

Offline Miyridian

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Re: Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2007, 10:18:19 PM »
So...the big question:

What happens to the tower that they have now? I hope it's preserved in some form - it's not beautiful, but it does have a very historic look to it.

Offline Studentpilo

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Re: Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2007, 10:29:26 PM »
Doubt it, they would prob destroy it, if not they would have to maintain it to a bare level (make sure its structurally sound) and it would serve no purpose. It is SOP I believe to destroy the old tower after the new one is done.

Offline Jason

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Re: Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2007, 10:58:31 PM »
So...the big question:

What happens to the tower that they have now? I hope it's preserved in some form - it's not beautiful, but it does have a very historic look to it.

They will most likely keep it.  It's attached to the American concourse (Concourse D, Main Terminal) and destroying it would not serve any purpose I can think of.  I'm sure further details will be released in the near future.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2007, 11:15:27 PM by Jason »

Offline Lezam

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Re: Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2007, 11:18:13 PM »
Every time I went to laguardia I had to see that thing... if you have ever been to laguardia on a night flight, they turn on these blue and purple lighting that makes it look scary. CANT WAIT FOR THE NEW ONE!

Offline PHL Approach

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Re: Bigger, better tower coming to LaGuardia
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2007, 11:07:34 AM »
Last I heard I heard, it will be dismantled due to being in the line of sight.