Albany International Airport Tower

Project Details:

• Contractor: MLB Industries Inc.
• Designer: Holmes & Narver
• Project Completion: 1997
• Scope: 44 precast concrete modules

Related Airport Tower Projects

Hancock International Airport
Syracuse, NY
Contractor: Structural Associates, Inc.
Designer: Sverdrup Corporation
Project Completion: 1997
Scope: 60 precast concrete modules

Bradley International Airport
Hartford, CT
Contractor: O & G Industries
Designer: HNTB / Holmes & Narver
Project Completion: 1997
Scope: 76 precast concrete modules

Project Overview

Fort Miller Precast manufactured post-tensioned precast concrete modules for the Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control tower at Albany International Airport. The 90-foot tower was constructed using 44 precast concrete modules, each produced to meet the dimensional, structural, and installation requirements of the vertical tower system.

This work was part of a broader series of FAA tower projects completed in 1997. In addition to Albany International Airport, Fort Miller manufactured precast tower modules for Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, NY, and Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT. Together, the three projects demonstrated Fort Miller’s ability to produce large, repeatable, structurally coordinated precast components for critical aviation infrastructure.

Fort Miller Scope

For the Albany tower, Fort Miller manufactured 44 post-tensioned precast concrete modules. Each module measured 12 feet 6 inches deep by 10 feet wide by 7 feet 5 inches high and included a curved surface on one face. The units weighed approximately 24 tons each.

Fort Miller also manufactured precast panels for the adjacent TRACON buildings, supporting a coordinated precast package for both the tower and related air traffic control facilities.

The related FAA tower projects followed a similar modular approach. Hancock International Airport’s 120-foot tower was constructed with 60 precast concrete modules, while Bradley International Airport’s 150-foot tower used 76 precast concrete modules. Bradley’s tower modules were cast using white cement, galvanized reinforcement, and local aggregates.

Modular Precast for Airport Control Towers

Air traffic control towers require durable vertical structures with consistent fit, reliable connections, and carefully coordinated installation sequencing. Fort Miller’s precast modules provided a practical approach for constructing these towers with repeated structural units manufactured in a controlled plant environment.

The use of precast concrete allowed the tower modules to be produced with consistent dimensions and quality while supporting the post-tensioned structural design. The curved face of each module added another layer of fabrication precision, requiring formwork and production practices suited to the towers’ final geometry.

Built for Critical Aviation Infrastructure

Airport infrastructure places unique demands on project teams. Construction must account for safety, long-term durability, active airport operations, and the specialized requirements of FAA facilities. For these tower projects, Fort Miller’s role centered on producing large, durable precast modules that could be assembled into tall, performance-driven structures.

By manufacturing the modules off-site, Fort Miller helped support a more controlled production process and a coordinated path to installation. The repeated module design also created consistency across each tower while still allowing the final structure to respond to its required height and location.

Regional FAA Tower Experience

While the tower modules shared the same primary dimensions and unit weight across all three locations, each reflects a different scale.

At Albany International Airport, 44 modules formed a 90-foot tower. At Hancock International Airport, 60 modules formed a 120-foot tower. At Bradley International Airport, 76 modules formed a 150-foot tower. By creating a consistent precast approach for FAA air traffic control facilities, Fort Miller supported a repeatable, engineered precast strategy across three active airport environments.

Project Impact

Fort Miller’s work on the Albany, Hancock, and Bradley air traffic control towers reflects the value of custom precast manufacturing for specialized infrastructure. The tower modules required structural coordination, dimensional consistency, controlled fabrication, and the ability to support vertical construction at significant heights.

For airport and transportation projects, this kind of precast approach can help bring greater control to complex construction, especially when the final structure demands durability, precision, and dependable long-term performance.