Board of Public Works Approves New Air Traffic Control Tower for Martin State Airport

$22 Million Project Will Replace Aging Infrastructure with Modern Tower


The Maryland Board of Public Works today approved the construction of a new air traffic control
tower at Martin State Airport in Middle River, Baltimore County. The Board, chaired today by Lt.
Governor Aruna Miller and including Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis,
approved the $22.2 million construction contract to build the new tower.


“This new, modern air traffic control tower further supports the Moore-Miller Administration’s goals
of leading with safety and making strategic investments to grow the state’s economy,” said Maryland
Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The new tower will be designed to support growth at
Martin State Airport for decades to come by providing greater visibility for air traffic controllers,
increasing its resiliency and providing ADA compliant access for the first time. Thank you to the
Board of Public Works for approving this critical contract.”


The new air traffic control tower is a critical investment in the future of Martin State Airport and will
offer significant advancements for aviation safety and efficiency. The new tower will replace the
existing facility, which has served the airport for more than 80 years. With a new midfield location and
modern design, the new tower will incorporate the latest technology and safety features, providing air
traffic controllers with enhanced visibility and improved communication.


“This new air traffic control tower represents a major investment in the future of Martin State Airport,”
said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration. “The project will
meet the growing demands of air traffic in our region while maintaining the highest levels of safety
and efficiency.”


The new tower will be strategically located to provide superior visibility of the airport’s runway,
taxiways, and airspace to help controllers effectively manage the flow of aircraft. The facility will
feature modernized equipment and infrastructure to support future advancements in aviation
technology. Built in 1942, the current air traffic control tower at Martin State Airport is among the
oldest in the nation.


Martin State Airport is a public use airport located about 10 miles northeast of downtown Baltimore. It
primarily serves general aviation, including corporate, private, law enforcement and military aircraft,
along with flight schools and other aviation-related services. Martin State creates and supports about
2,300 jobs throughout the region. It is a federally designated reliever airport, helping to divert
noncommercial air traffic from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Board of Public Works Approves BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Construction Projects

$41.5 million improvements to enhance travel for domestic and international passengers

Photo of passengers walking near the entrance to Security Checkpoint D/E at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

The Maryland Board of Public Works today approved two contracts that will improve and expand a security screening checkpoint and baggage handling systems at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The construction projects will enhance the travel experience for passengers and provide important capacity for airline operations. The Board, chaired by Governor Wes Moore and including Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, approved $5.5 million to expand the airport’s D/E security checkpoint and $36 million to improve baggage systems in the international terminal.

“As travel continues to grow, we are working to ensure the best airport experience for our passengers while creating more opportunities for our airline partners,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport. “These projects are consistent with our commitment to providing a safe, efficient, and comfortable airport.”

The D/E checkpoint project will add two lanes to the security checkpoint, which serves both domestic and international passengers. This screening checkpoint currently reaches throughput capacity during peak periods. The two additional security lanes will help accommodate increased passenger volume.

The international terminal project will replace existing outbound baggage systems that were installed during the original facility construction over 20 years ago. In addition, the work will expand the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) baggage screening facility and improve existing international baggage claim carousels.

BWI Marshall Airport generates a total economic impact of $11.3 billion. The airport and visitors produce and support more than 107,000 jobs throughout Maryland and the region. The airport offers approximately 300 daily nonstop departures to about 90 domestic and international destinations.

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