Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today broke ground for a new $16.4 million, state-of-the-art airport traffic control tower at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The new tower, equipped with the latest radar, communications and weather technology, will enable air traffic controllers to continue to provide the safest, most efficient service to flights at the busy South Florida airport.

"Rebuilding and expanding our nation's aviation infrastructure creates jobs while making flying safer and more efficient," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "This new tower will benefit South Florida's air travelers."

"The new tower demonstrates the FAA's commitment to aviation safety and to modernizing the air traffic control system in South Florida," said FAA Acting Administrator Michael Huerta. "Investing in new air traffic control facilities is a key component of the FAA's Next Generation Air Traffic Control system."

NextGen is a comprehensive overhaul of the National Airspace System to make air travel more convenient and dependable, and ensure flights are as safe, secure and as hassle-free as possible.

The new facility will include a 117-foot-tall air traffic control tower topped by a 525-square-foot tower cab. A 7,200-square-foot single-story base building will house training rooms, administrative offices, and equipment rooms.

Air traffic controllers at Ft. Lauderdale Executive Tower handled 162,000 takeoffs and landings in 2011. The airport primarily serves general aviation traffic.

The construction contract for $9.282 million was awarded to J. Kokolakis Contracting, Inc., of Tarpon Springs, Fla. Design and installation of equipment accounted for the remainder of the total $16.4 million cost. The new tower will be commissioned in spring 2014, replacing the existing tower that was commissioned in 1970.

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