FAA Public Notice for Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Replacement in East Alton, Illinois

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes to replace the FAA-owned Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) and demolish the existing ATCT and its associated Remote Transmitter/Receiver (RTR) facility at the St. Louis Regional Airport (ALN), East Alton, Illinois.

The existing FAA-owned ALN ATCT would be replaced with a new modern facility. Commissioned in 1966, the existing ALN ATCT is outdated and a replacement ATCT would enable the installation of modern and required air traffic control equipment, including installation of new RTR equipment within and atop the proposed new ATCT. The FAA has determined that the Proposed Action constitutes a Federal undertaking subject to compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR Part 800). Concurrently, the FAA is coordinating with the Department of Interior under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Act (codified in 49 U.S.C. § 303 and 23 U.S.C. § 138). This notice announces the opportunity for the public to comment on the FAA's efforts to comply with the NHPA and DOT Act Section 4(f). The FAA, in consultation with the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), has determined that the only National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) listed or eligible historic resource within the proposed project’s Area of Potential Effects (APE) is the ALN ATCT. The FAA has determined that the demolition of the ALN ATCT would constitute an adverse effect under NHPA Section 106 and has proposed in consultation with the SHPO to mitigate the adverse effect by completing a Level II Historic Illinois Buildings Survey (HIBS) recordation of the historic ALN ATCT.

The FAA is accepting written comments on the project until close of business on May 12, 2025. Comments may be made to Aaron Comrov, Aaron.Comrov@faa.gov. 

DECISION:

FAA Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act-funded Airport Traffic Control Tower Replacement Program

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing this notice to advise the public of the availability of the FAA’s Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) / Record of Decision (ROD) for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)-funded Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) Replacement Program. The PEA (PDF 1 , PDF 2) analyzes the potential environmental impacts that may result from construction and operation of the proposed new ATCTs and decommissioning and removal of the existing ATCTs (Proposed Action), as well as the No Action Alternative (i.e., not constructing and operating the proposed new ATCTs). The PEA considers the conditions and potential environmental impacts from the Proposed Action to replace numerous FAA-owned ATCTs under the IIJA-funded ATCT Replacement Program. Many existing ATCTs at municipal or general aviation airports are outdated and operating past their design life. The purpose for the proposed program is to replace select ATCTs across the nation with modern ATCTs while providing uninterrupted air traffic control services. The FAA had prepared the PEA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures.