Washington Manassas Airport will soon kick off an estimated $38 million projectto build a new air traffic control tower and other space as it readies forcommercial air service next year.

The project, which Airport Director Juan Rivera told me still needs to be bid onahead of an estimated October start to construction, will feature a new 155-foottower spanning 9,126 square feet capable of housing new air traffic controlequipment being rolled out by the
Federal Aviation Administration. At the base ofthe tower will be an additional 9,183-square-foot facility for offices, a conferenceroom and an FAA training simulator. The project will also include securityimprovements to the parking area near the tower.

On Monday, Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced $26 million in federalfunding to kick-start the tower’s construction. Rivera told me the airport plans topitch the Virginia Department of Aviation for additional funds and could pursuegrants from the FAA or other state sources. Any balance will come from theairport’s general fund, Rivera said.

“Keep in mind that the $38 million is just our best estimate at this point,” he said.”You never know what bids will come in at.”

He noted the total estimated price tag includes costs related to design,construction and management of the project as well as demolition of theexisting tower.

The new structure, expected to be finished by June 2029, will eventually replace a124-foot tower that was reassembled in 1992 after being bought from a smallColorado airport. The current Manassas tower is more than 80 years old and lacksspace for more modern equipment, Rivera said.

The Manassas City Council voted to rename the airport in April from its longtimename of Manassas Regional Airport as part of a bid to become more marketable tocommercial travelers.

The airport is pursuing a broader $50 million project to expand the number ofgates at its terminal and add more parking amenities to accommodate thesepassengers, who could start arriving as early as next summer.

Manassas has yet to name the carrier for commercial service, though it’s likely tobe a low-cost airline.

The facility is slated to become the fourth commercial airport serving GreaterWashington following Dulles International, Reagan National and BWI MarshallInternational airports.