An additional $20 million in federal funds for the replacement of the air traffic control tower at the Duluth International Airport was announced on Monday, November 17, by several federal legislatures. The announcement follows a visit by the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, earlier in the year.
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The offices of Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D), Sen. Tina Smith (D), and Rep. Pete Stauber (R) each released statements in response to the funding being secured.
“Duluth International Airport’s air traffic control tower is one of the oldest in the country and urgently needs an upgrade, which is why I have worked across the aisle to secure this funding,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “The Duluth Airport is a gateway for visitors from around the country and the world to visit Duluth, and is critical to the Northland’s economy. With this major federal investment, Duluth International Airport will be able to continue the vital work of relocating this tower, which will boost efficiency to help travelers arrive and depart on time.”
This grant brings total federal investment secured this project to $37 million, including nearly $6 million secured earlier this year and $10 million secured in 2024. According to Rep. Pete Stauber’s Office, an additional $10 million will be needed before construction can begin.
“The Duluth International Airport connects the Northland to the rest of the world, making it an important economic driver for our region,” said Rep. Pete Stauber. “Since arriving in Congress, I have worked to secure the funding necessary to replace this aging tower, not just to ensure safety, but also to strengthen the long-term competitiveness of our airport. I’m proud to have worked closely with Secretary Duffy to deliver this significant investment, and I’m grateful to the Trump Administration for recognizing the importance of this project for Minnesota’s Eighth District.”
The Duluth air traffic control tower replacement project includes design, formulation, site preparation, line of sight obstruction removal, and other related actions to bring the tower up to modern standards.
“The Duluth International Airport provides critical service to northern Minnesota, from commercial service to cargo, military and medical flights. Yet it’s operating with a 70-year-old tower – the third oldest in the nation. It’s out of date, doesn’t meet national standards, and has needed replacing for a long time,” said Senator Smith. “Air traffic controllers have been doing a tremendous job making the outdated tower work and keeping our skies safe, but funding a new tower will make air travel in the Northland safer and more efficient. I’m glad to see this announcement, and I’ll keep pushing for the rest of the funding necessary to get the new tower built.”
In 2023, Klobuchar and Smith, and Stauber led the entire Minnesota delegation in sending a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting that they expedite reviews and approvals required for Duluth International Airport to apply for grant funding to build a new air traffic control tower.
RELATED: Funding secured for Duluth International Airport improvements
