Oakland Air Traffic Control Tower
The FAA built a new 236-foot-tall airport traffic control tower at Oakland International Airport, replacing two outdated towers that had served the airfield for over 40 years. Designed to enhance visibility and safety for air traffic controllers, the new facility includes a 13,000 sq. ft. administrative base building and advanced control cab with an unobstructed 360-degree view of the entire airfield.
Project Details
Project Owner:
Contractor:
Structural Engineer:
Architect:
Steel Tonnage:
1,000 tons
Location:
Oakland, CA
Schuff Services: Project Management, Steel Detailing, Steel Fabrication, Steel Erection
Project Overview
The tower integrates modern security and structural features, including precast blast panels, a high-performance glass curtain wall system, and welded SidePlate connections to enhance seismic resilience. Schuff Steel supplied, fabricated, and erected 1,000 tons of structural steel for the tower and base building, working closely with project partners to maintain a tight construction schedule in an active airport environment.
The project also prioritized sustainability and earned LEED Gold certification. Green features include:
- Solar panels that supply most daytime power needs
- An underground geothermal HVAC system using stable ground temperatures
- Rainwater capture and reuse for all landscaping irrigation
- A reflective “cool” roof to reduce heat absorption
Completed ahead of schedule and under budget, the Oakland Air Traffic Control Tower is now one of the FAA’s most energy-efficient towers and supports approximately 200,000 annual takeoffs and landings at Oakland International Airport.
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Oakland Air Traffic Control Tower
Project Details
Project Owner:
Contractor:
Structural Engineer:
Architect:
Steel Tonnage:
1,000 tons
Location:
Oakland, CA
Schuff Services: Project Management, Steel Detailing, Steel Fabrication, Steel Erection
The FAA built a new 236-foot-tall airport traffic control tower at Oakland International Airport, replacing two outdated towers that had served the airfield for over 40 years. Designed to enhance visibility and safety for air traffic controllers, the new facility includes a 13,000 sq. ft. administrative base building and advanced control cab with an unobstructed 360-degree view of the entire airfield.
The tower integrates modern security and structural features, including precast blast panels, a high-performance glass curtain wall system, and welded SidePlate connections to enhance seismic resilience. Schuff Steel supplied, fabricated, and erected 1,000 tons of structural steel for the tower and base building, working closely with project partners to maintain a tight construction schedule in an active airport environment.
The project also prioritized sustainability and earned LEED Gold certification. Green features include:
- Solar panels that supply most daytime power needs
- An underground geothermal HVAC system using stable ground temperatures
- Rainwater capture and reuse for all landscaping irrigation
- A reflective “cool” roof to reduce heat absorption
Completed ahead of schedule and under budget, the Oakland Air Traffic Control Tower is now one of the FAA’s most energy-efficient towers and supports approximately 200,000 annual takeoffs and landings at Oakland International Airport.
