Northern News Now 

By T Kaldahl 

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Millions of additional federal dollars are coming to the Duluth International Airport (DLH) for a new traffic control tower.

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith made that announcement Friday.

Stauber, a Republican from Hermantown, says the $5,980,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program will help to make the airport safer.

“I have been advocating for its replacement since 2019 and I’m proud to have helped secure more funding to make this airport safer and more competitive for the 21st century,” said Stauber.

Sen. Smith, a Democrat, expressed the same thing.

“This investment will make air travel in the Duluth area safer and more efficient,” Smith said. “This kind of investment is exactly why I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which made this important project possible.”

The upgrade is needed as the current air traffic control tower was built back in the 1950s and is one of the oldest in the country.

Stauber and Klobuchar helped secure $10 million in funding for the project last year.

“With this major federal grant, the Duluth International Airport is a step closer to completing this project and boosting safety and efficiency,” said Klobuchar.