Construction on a new Sacramento International Airport (SMF) air traffic control (ATC) tower is set to start next year to replace a tower in service since 1967.
The FAA awarded a contract to Chicago-based construction firm Walsh Federal to build the tower at the airport serving California’s capital city. The agency and SMF expect the new tower to become operational “around 2030.” The contract is valued at $148.8 million.
“The current SMF control tower presents operational and accessibility limitations, as well as challenges associated with aging facility systems,” the FAA said.
The new tower will have “improved sight lines” and a “modernized working environment,” according to the agency.
“The new location will also enhance security by relocating critical operations away from public-facing airport areas,” the FAA said.
The project has been in the planning stages for a decade. The FAA first designated SMF as a “priority site” for a new tower in 2016.
According to an FAA environmental assessment document on the project released earlier this year, the current tower has “physical problems” and “line of sight issues” because of buildings constructed since it opened.
The current tower is generally operated by five to six controllers, with a minimum of three required, according to the FAA.
SMF handled 13.9 million passengers in 2025, up 2% year over year. Southwest Airlines is the leading carrier at the airport with more than 50% passenger market share.
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