GREGG COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) – It towers over East Texas Regional Airport, higher than anything else there — except maybe aircraft. A new beacon tower has been erected, and it’s nearly twice as tall as the old one.
East Texas Regional Airport Director Max Tovar says upgrades at the airport are ongoing. Today was a tall order.
“Today is our beacon installation. It’s been a long process. We went through the process of bidding, contracting, and just kind of waiting. And now it’s time,” Tovar said.
Assembly was required for the three-piece beacon, and a crane was in place to lift it.
“We’ll have the tower itself, the beacon, all improved by LEDs, so it should reduce our cost as well,” Tovar said.
The old 45-foot beacon had no LEDs, which meant more tower climbing for maintenance. “We should have minimal maintenance on that. And back in compliance as far as the paint goes. Making sure we keep up with that and keeping the safety of it and going forward,” Tovar said.
New tower, new paint. Surface rust shows on the old tower. An estimated $80,000 to refurbish it, so in with the new. And as far as power:
“We’re just going to disconnect and connect,” Tovar said.
The supply is “right behind the old beacon,” Tovar said.
The beacon’s base was carefully engineered, constructed and inspected.
“As much concrete that’s down there, it should be good,” Tovar said.
After a two-hour setup, it was in place in five minutes. It is resistant to 150 mph winds and is 75 feet tall.
“It’ll be in full operation tomorrow night,” Tovar said.
And, while the crane was there, the old beacon was lifted off.
Tovar said there was a $183,000 price tag for a new beacon, but the FAA will pay 95 percent of that with a grant.
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