ARIZONA NEWS

Mesa Gateway Airport dedicates new air traffic control tower to late Sen. John McCain

Aug 23, 2022, 4:35 AM | Updated: 2:53 pm

(Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)...

(Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

(Photo by David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport dedicated its new $30 million air traffic control tower on Tuesday, naming it after the late U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

The tower stands 199 feet tall — 60% taller than the existing tower — and will enter into service Saturday, according to a press release.

McCain and Arizona’s congressional delegation were key players in efforts to remove the previously set $2 million federal funding cap for construction of the control towers, the release said.

“Completion of the John S. McCain III Air Traffic Control Tower is the culmination of years of hard work and determination by our local, state and federal leader,” Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson, chair of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, said in the release.

“This bipartisan effort will help Gateway Airport continue to grow and create high-wage jobs across greater Phoenix.”

U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton and Sen. Mark Kelly were among the dignitaries on hand for Tuesday’s dedication event.

The new cab is twice as large as the existing tower, at 550 square feet, with eight controller positions.

The current ATCT is too short and its cab is too small to handle aircraft operations at a growing airport.

While it took 18 months to complete the project, efforts to make a new tower started nearly a decade ago and would require a change in federal law before plans could move forward.

“We are grateful for the U.S. senators and representatives that worked tirelessly over several years to enable federal funding for this critical airfield infrastructure project,” Airport director J. Brian O’Neill said.

“Gateway Airport plays an important role in Arizona’s air transportation system and now contributes more than $1.8 billion each year to the regional economy.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Phoenix Fire...

Colton Krolak

Phoenix Fire Department breaks ground on state-of-the-art fire station in West Valley

The Phoenix Fire Department broke ground on a new fire station near 91st Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road in the West Valley.

1 hour ago

Men entering seminary can spend two years at Nazareth House, which was established by the Diocese o...

Kevin Stone

Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix to create its first full seminary for future priests

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix announced plans Tuesday to create its first full seminary to educate and train future priests locally.

1 hour ago

Mike Broomhead...

Mike Broomhead

Amazing Arizonans: World Champion bull rider Cody Custer discusses rodeo career

On this episode of Amazing Arizonans, Mike Broomhead sits down with 1992 World Champion bull rider Cody Custer.

1 hour ago

a model room showing what the new community looks like...

KTAR.com

Eco-conscious, luxury rental community opens in east Mesa

An eco-conscious detached rental community recently opened in east Mesa at Ellsworth Road and University Drive.

2 hours ago

woman cutting a sandwich in the back of house...

KTAR.com

Eligible Mesa small business owners can register for low-cost college courses

A new program in Mesa is expanding ways that small business owners can earn college credits. 

10 hours ago

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)...

Associated Press

Judge denies Phoenix request to extend clean up time at The Zone

A judge on Tuesday denied the city of Phoenix’s legal request seeking extra time to clean up the city’s largest homeless encampment.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

...

Mayo Clinic

Game on! Expert sports physicals focused on you

With tryouts quickly approaching, now is the time for parents to schedule physicals for their student-athlete. The Arizona Interscholastic Association requires that all student-athletes must have a physical exam completed before participating in team practices or competition.

...

Ability360

At Ability360, every day is Independence Day

With 100 different programs and services, more than 1,500 non-medically based home care staff, a world-renowned Sports & Fitness Center and over 15,000 people with disabilities served annually, across all ages and demographics, Ability360 is a nationwide leader in the disability community.

Mesa Gateway Airport dedicates new air traffic control tower to late Sen. John McCain