Tower power to Ellington Airport

​HOUSTON – Crews broke ground on Ellington Airport’s new $12.4 million air traffic control tower. It will replace the airport’s existing tower—originally built in 1955.​

The new tower will both enhance current services and provide mission control support for future Houston Spaceport operations.

“The main driver for the project is to provide flexibility in the infrastructure development so as to be compatible for future users whether it be the city, National Guard, FAA, NASA or private spaceport entities,” explains Frank Wengler with AECOM. 

“Incorporation of FAA standards and best practices in a non-FAA air traffic control tower were the main challenges in the design …," said Wengler.

The tower will reach 143 ft, which is almost twice as tall as the existing tower, and will utilize new features such as an automated weather observation system, which can determine cloud heights, temperature, rainfall amounts and the presence of lightning in the area .

Clark Construction Group is general contractor on the project and AECOM is architect of record.

Ellington’s existing tower will remain operational until the new tower is completed by the end of 2018.​