The air traffic control tower at Gulf Shores International Airport was awarded the General Aviation Project of the Year award by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). The award was presented at the AAAE Southeast Chapter's Annual Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, April 12.

The multi-million-dollar project constructed by White-Spunner Construction (WSC) was completed in late 2021 with engineering firms Barge Design Solutions and AJT Engineering Inc. The tower consists of 2 million pounds of concrete, over 6 miles of copper electrical and communications wiring and stands 95 feet tall. It contains a state-of-the-art communications system that allows aircraft to connect with tower controllers from more than 30 miles away.

"It's not often you are able to work on a project that is such a great addition to the community and local economy," noted Craig Blackburn, WSC's vice president of operations. "The project's success is the direct result of our phenomenal team at White-Spunner, project subcontractors, the design and engineering efforts of Barge and AJT, the determination of airport manager Scott Fuller and diligence of representatives of the Gulf Shores Airport Authority."

Officials say the tower has been exceedingly helpful in creating a safe airspace and streamlining operations at the second-busiest airport in Alabama.