Duluth Airport Seeks $56M Toward Replacement Of Outdated Air Traffic Control Tower

DULUTH, Minn. — $56 million is still needed to replace the country’s third-oldest air traffic control tower at the Duluth International Airport.

So far, the Duluth Airport Authority has been awarded $16 million from the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport is now requesting $14 million from the state of Minnesota. Airport officials say the state dollars will help leverage additional federal funding from FAA’s grant program of around $39 million.

A spokesperson for the airport says it’s important to educate state lawmakers about the unique ownership of DLH’s tower, which is more than 70 years old.

“They’ve been interested in hearing what we have to say about the funding efforts,” said Natalie Baker, director of marketing and comm. at Duluth Airport Authority. “And do understand that time is of the essence for state support of this funding. One of the aspects of our tower that is unique is that it’s locally owned. Which means the airport authority does own the tower, whereas some towers, actually a majority of towers, are owned by FAA. Which means our tower isn’t eligible for the same funding that FFA towers are eligible for.”

Duluth’s air traffic control tower, which was built in the mid-1950s, is also unique because it oversees more than commercials flights in an out of Duluth. Military aircraft operations from the 148th Fighter Wing and the U.S. Airforce reserve are also in the mix.

On top of that, the tower’s team manages more than 7,000-square miles of airspace, supporting commercial flights at Range Regional Airport in Hibbing, Falls International Airport in International Falls, and supports technical operations for 14 airports throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.