McCarran’s New Control Tower Makes a LAS-ting Impression

After setbacks, Mccarran’s New Control Tower makes its Vegas Debut…

McCarran Airport (everyone’s favorite airport) has a shiny new control tower. At the cost of $99 million, the tower standing at 352 feet is now in service. There was an on-again-off-again construction phase which lasted five years. The project was hindered by government furloughs as well as a massive construction error with relation to the tower’s interior panels. But hey, it’s finally ready! The facility has a two-story parking garage and can handle a capacity of 40 air traffic controllers per shift. Also, there is a four-story office building where another 49 air traffic controllers man (and woman) the Terminal Radar Approach Control which this writer assumes is called TRAC for short by air traffic staff. UPDATE: A reader commented below that it is TRACON.

Below is the old tower…

Photographer Greg C sent us pics of the construction progress leading up to the completed design.

McCarran’s new control tower comes in at a perfect time when considering the fact that July was a record month for Vegas travel totaling 3,827,636 visitors.

[Photos: Greg C]

Michael Movestro

Michael Movestro founded Vegas Bright to continue the tradition when Vegas Chatter cashed out. Michael pays the bills, maintains the site, writes articles, hosts VBN – Vegas Bright Newscast.