U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar is working to bring a much-needed upgrade to the El Paso International Airport.
Escobar, D-El Paso, recently filed the El Paso Air Traffic Control Tower Modernization Act, which would provide funding to replace the aging air traffic control tower at the airport. Though the Federal Aviation Administration has noted the need for a new tower, agency funding is contingent on available funds — Escobar’s bill specifically allocates funding for the new tower.
“Our air traffic controllers work tirelessly to keep El Pasoans and visitors safe every single day,” Escobar said in a news release. “But they’re doing that vital work from a tower built decades ago, one that no longer meets the needs of a modern, growing region.”
“I’ve been working for years on ensuring we invest in the tools and infrastructure for air traffic controllers in El Paso,” she continued. “My bill ensures El Paso finally receives the safe, state-of-the-art facility our controllers deserve.”
Escobar’s bill does not set a dollar amount for the project but allocates “such sums as may be necessary” to replace the tower.
The bill is just the latest of Escobar’s efforts to maintain and upgrade the tower. Throughout her tenure in Congress, Escobar has taken the following actions:
The bill is being backed by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NACTA) of El Paso.
“The new building will replace a nearly sixty-year-old facility with modern infrastructure designed to ensure that future air traffic controllers have the necessary tools and efficient work environment to provide the safe and orderly movement of aircraft in the Borderland airspace,” Cesar Cordero, principal facility representative for NACTA El Paso, said in the release. “This project will bring jobs and investment into our community and directly benefit the American flying public.”
“Congresswoman Escobar’s support has been instrumental to the process of securing funding for the design and building phases of the new facility,” he added. “We thank her for her continued support and dedication to improving conditions to the National Airspace System.”
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Rep. Escobar files bill to modernize El Paso air traffic control tower
Reporting by Adam Powell, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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