Newsletter

Sky Report: Summer 2008

Dear Friends,

I welcome and thank you for the opportunity to present current projects and developments at the Gary/Chicago International Airport (GCIA).   Several recently completed projects include the newly installed Instrument Landing System (ILS), S&T T-Hangar Construction, White Lodging Services hangar, Gary Jet Center West Hangar, and CITGO Storage Tank relocation project.  Projects underway include the lengthening of Runway 12-30 to the northwest, the U.S. Army National Guard Aviation Unit, and power line relocation project.

All of these projects and developments are essential steps to improve our infrastructure and make the airport more attractive to other 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

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) project (which reduced the frontage road to a single lane in order to make room for the railroad track relocation), 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 railroads required for the E. J. & E railroad relocation and relocating power lines and a transformer substation.  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

On June 26, 2008, the airport and the railroad signed a Preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (PMOU) with the Elgin Joliet & Eastern (EJ&E), CSX, and the Norfolk Southern (NS) railroads. This agreement addresses 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.

CITGO STORAGE TANK RELOCATION

The CITGO storage tank relocation project is complete.  CITGO storage tank number 52 was determined to be within the proposed runway protection zone.  In Fall 2007, the fuel tank was demolished and a new replacement fuel tank was constructed in June 2008.  The construction cost was approximately $2,450,000. 

POWER LINE PROJECT

A project is underway to remove aerial high voltage power lines that are currently located along the east side of Cline Ave.  These lines need to be buried to allow for improved runway operating clearances and to allow for the extension of Runway 12-30.  The existing power lines are very high voltage at 345 Kv and are located on numerous support towers.  The project includes burial of the power lines and the demolition of the towers.  Also included in the work is the construction of a new power transformer station that will be connected to the buried power lines.

U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

There will be a special invitation only dedication ceremony expected to be held towards the end of July 2008 in recognition of the opening of the 56,000 square-foot U.S. Army National Guard Limited Army Aviation Support Facility (LAASF).  In attendance will be Senator Bayh, Representative Visclosky, Governor Daniels, Mayor Clay, and high-ranking Guard officers.  The LAASF will house Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters and other military aircraft.  The U.S. Army National Guard is also building a 44,000 square-foot Readiness Center.  The construction for the Readiness Center is expected to be complete by December 1, 2008.  

GARY JET CENTER WEST HANGAR

Construction has been completed for the Gary Jet Center West hangar.  The new 38,000 square-foot hangar facility was completed in June and is currently housing an assortment of aircraft.

GARY’S SOUTH SHORE AIR SHOW

Gary’s South Shore Air Show will be held on July 12 and 13 at Marquette Park in Gary, IN.  The shows will begin around 12:00 Noon and end at 4:00 pm on both days.  An evening preview show will be featured at the Gary/Chicago International Airport at 6:00 pm on July 11.  Parking is available in the terminal parking lot for the preview show at $5 cash/per car and $10 cash/per RV.  Several of the show acts include the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights, and Lima Lima.  For more information on Gary’s South Shore Air Show, visit garychicagoairport.com or garyairshow.com.

CHICAGO AIR AND WATER SHOW

The Chicago Air and Water Show is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.  The 2008 Chicago Air and Water Show will be held on August 15, 16, and 17 along North Avenue Beach in Chicago.  The show will start on August 15 at 3:00 pm with a performance by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.  The show will start at 9:00 am and end at 11:00 am on August 16 and 17.  Additionally, an evening preview show will be held at the Gary/Chicago International Airport at 6:00 pm on August 14.  Parking is available in the terminal parking lot for the preview show at $5 cash/per car and $10 cash/per RV.  For more information on the Chicago Air and Water Show, visit chicagoairandwatershow.us.

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