TULSA, Okla. — In just a couple years, pilots will be cleared for takeoff from a brand-new air traffic control tower. Dozens of people came to witness the official start of construction for a project they say has been a long time coming.
“It’s been a challenge operationally to maintain. The new tower will give us a clean slate, modern facilities and set us up for future success,” said Alexis Higgins, CEO of the Tulsa Airports Improvement Fund.
Higgins said the current tower was built in the 1950s. They’ve outgrown the building and have poured hours of work to keep it functioning. It is time for an upgrade.
“In the past five years we’ve had 422 work orders. That’s a lot of time our staff is spending over here trying to maintain a facility that was built during a time of typewriters and transistor radios,” said Higgins.
The new control …