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| NEWSROOM |
Newsletter
Sky Report: Fall 2009
| Mission Statement Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA) has set its sights on continued growth and expansion. GCIA is dedicated to providing quality service, low cost, and convenient access. Recognized as Chicago’s Third Airport, GCIA represents the highest degree of safety and operational efficiency with plenty of room to grow. |
FALL 2009 |
Letter From The Director
Dear Friends,
I welcome and thank you for the opportunity to present updates of current projects and developments at the Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA). Projects underway include the lengthening of Runway 12-30 to the northwest. A new executive hangar facility is expected to begin construction in the next few weeks as an opportunity for the airport to lease airport land.
All of these projects and developments are essential steps to improve our infrastructure and make the airport more attractive to commercial and cargo carriers.
Our continued partnerships with the Regional Development Authority, Northwest Indiana Forum, Northwest Indiana region, City of Chicago, governors, senators, mayors, local tourism conventions, Friends of Gary/Chicago Airport, and local community are critical for Gary/Chicago International Airport's path to becoming the best approach for the Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland area.
Sincerely,
Chris Curry
Airport Director
Runway 12-30 Expansion
We’re getting closer! Construction of runway expansion project could begin as early spring 2010 with
completion in 2012. The airport is expanding Runway 12-30 to the northwest by 1,900 feet from
approximately 7,000 to 8,900 feet. The airport has acquired 162 acres of property for the runway
lengthening, completed the Cline Avenue (IN-912) (which reduced the frontage road to a single lane
in order to make room for the railroad track relocation), Power Line Relocation projects, and relocated the CITGO fuel tank that was determined to be within the proposed runway expansion air space. The
airport is in the process of finalizing a legal agreement with the CN railroad (see Railroad Update
below) Other runway expansion components to be completed are the NAVAID relocation, wetland
mitigation, and runway remarking. The airport project funding was provided by a variety of sources
with the majority from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the amount of $57.8 million
dollars, Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) in the amount of $20 million
dollars, as well as a projected $9.5 million dollars collected from passenger facility charges from the Chicago Airport System.
Railroad Update
This project continues to evolve as it continues to get closer to finalization. In June 2008, the airport
and the railroads signed a Preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (PMOU) with the Elgin Joliet
& Eastern (EJ&E), CSX, and the Norfolk Southern (NS) railroads. This agreement addressed the
necessary relocation of the EJ&E tracks that border the airport to allow for the Runway 12-30
expansion, and the shift of CSX operations to the NS Gary Branch commonly known as the "Sugar
Track" which allows the airport to eventually extend the crosswind runway. As negotiations
continued, the RDA requested a change in the relocation of the tracks in an effort to minimize the need
to involve more than one railroad. Thereby, negotiations have continued with the airport and CN (new
owners of EJ&E) and both parties hope to sign a legal agreement to move the tracks before the year’s end.
New Partnership - Executive Hangars
The Gary Chicago International Airport has developed a partnership with
Raymond Lewick & Associates (RLA) to lease airport land to RLA for
construction of a new hangar facility designed for the “mobile” executive.
This facility will be the home of four (4) individual hangars large enough to
house light twin jets or twin engine props. Each upscale, heated hangar will
include an office area and restroom facilities. The land has been cleared and
the building’s frame has been completed to begin the initial phase of the
project. The project’s completion is expected in late spring 2010.
AIRPORT FENCING - STIMULUS FUNDING
The airport recently received an ARRA Stimulus Grant from the
FAA in the amount of $845,698 to increase the height of the
perimeter fencing to 10' and to install wildlife deterrent measures to
prevent wildlife from digging a way under the fence. The
installation started on October 12 and will be completed by January
31. The construction contract was awarded to Security Industries,
Inc. of Hobart, Indiana. The grant is a result of the economic
stimulus bill passed earlier this year. The grant provides 100%
reimbursement and no local.
TOLL ROAD WIDENING PROJECT
This continuing project is a part of a long range plan to accommodate future airport development. It is at the approach end of Runway 30 and includes provisions to lower portions of the roadway approximately 6 feet. The lowering of the toll road will remove the structural and vehicle obstructions and allow the federal government to reclaim an airspace strata and allow lower aircraft operations to the main runway. Upon completion of the runway expansion, the landing threshold to Runway 30 will be moved to accommodate a standard runway safety area as mandated by the FAA.
MALSR HOUSING UNIT
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently completed the
installation of the Malsr Housing Unit which houses the control panels to the
Approach Lighting System. The new unit replaces the old unit and is 5 times
larger in size.
Taking off with the gary Chicago airport—tv show
“Taking Off with the Gary Chicago International Airport” is a regular scheduled television show hosted by Pastor Marion J. Johnson, Airport Board President. The show highlights topics of interest to the airport and the aviation industry. Its guests have included Airport Director Chris Curry, Senator Earline Rogers, State Representative Charlie Brown, Mayor Rudy Clay, RDA’s New Director Bill Hanna, Northwest Indiana Forum President Vincent Galbiati, as well as other distinguished guests. Tune in to the airport’s “Taking Off with the Gary Chicago International Airport” weekly on the Gary Public Access Channel. For day and time, please check your local listing.
LIGHTS, CAMERAS, & ACTION ON THE RUNWAY
The airport is a great place to film movies and other film productions, etc. You may not know that
many productions have taken place at your airport. It has been the filming location for the “Ritchie
Rich” movie and the TV series, “The Beast” starring the late Patrick Swayze. Other clients have
included Long John Silvers, the History Channel, National Geographic, and Nickelodeon Studios.
Recently, it was used to film an episode of the Instyle Network’s “Giuliana and Bill Rancic”.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Director’s Speaking Engagements:
- November 2009 - Watson Boys Academy
Events:
No events scheduled at this time.
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