The estimated cost to replace the tower is $10.9 million. FAA, which operates the tower under the Contract Tower Program, has executed an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for $2.5 million, which includes a $1.0 million Congressional earmark, sponsored by Congressman [Kendrick B. Meek] and supported by the Miami-Dade Congressional delegation from the FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations legislation.
WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek announced recently that he successfully secured $4.2 million in federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to assist in the construction of the replacement air traffic control tower at Opa Locka Executive Airport.
"In a tight budgetary year, this announcement is nothing short of a major victory for South Florida. This proves that when local and federal government work together, everyone wins. Opa Locka Executive Airport fulfills a vital transportation role in South Florida and it requires a first rate air traffic control tower, not a makeshift structure as exists currently," said Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-Fla.), the lone Floridian serving on the House Committee on Ways and Means.
"We are deeply appreciative of the hard work by Rep. Meek," said Miami-Dade Aviation Department Director, Jose Abreu.
The old air traffic control tower has deteriorated and is no longer habitable by air traffic control personnel. FAA has erected a temporary control tower structure for air traffic control operations, where they will operate until the new tower's construction is completed in 2009.
The estimated cost to replace the tower is $10.9 million. FAA, which operates the tower under the Contract Tower Program, has executed an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for $2.5 million, which includes a $1.0 million Congressional earmark, sponsored by Congressman Meek and supported by the Miami-Dade Congressional delegation from the FY 2005 Omnibus Appropriations legislation.
The replacement tower is on schedule for completion in late 2009.
With more than 126,000 annual operations and 270-based aircraft, Opa Locka is an important reliever airport to Miami International Airport (MIA). The airport houses maintenance facilities for large commercial aircraft that cannot be accommodated at MIA. The airport is also home to the United States Coast Guard's Air Station Miami, the nation's busiest air sea rescue operations station.
SIDEBARA photograph of the temporary control tower structure at Opa Locka Executive Airport erected by the FAA consisting of cargo containers and a trailer.
