Newsletter

Sky Report: Fall 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. The airport awaits final resolution on the purchase agreement between EJ&E and CSX.

New Partnership - Executive Hangars

The Gary Chicago International Airport believes in expanding its horizon to better serve its community. The 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 project is expected to begin late Fall 2008 with construction ending in late spring 2009.

POWER LINE PROJECT

The project to remove aerial high voltage power lines that are currently located along the east side of Cline Ave is moving forward as anticipated. These lines are being buried to allow for improved runway operating clearances and to allow for the extension of Runway 12-30. The 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. The construction of a new power transformer station is almost complete and connection to the buried power lines is in progress.

U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

The special invitation only dedication ceremony scheduled for July 2008 has been rescheduled for October 24, 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 highranking 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 (above) is expected to be complete by December 1, 2008.

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 Director Tim Sanders, 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.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

As a regional airport, the regional communities continue to embrace the airport as its own. The airport's director, Chris Curry, speaks at various regional organizations about the airport's progress. He has been a recent guest speaker at the Gary, Hobart, and Schererville Chamber of Commerce events. Mr. Curry enjoys speaking on behalf of the airport and if your organization is interested in scheduling him, please contact the marketing department at (219) 949-4910.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Director’s Speaking Engagements:

October 16, 2008 - Portage Chamber of Commerce
November 11, 2008 - Highland Chamber of Commerce

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