STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Friedman Memorial Airport is asking Wood River Valley residents to weigh in on its proposed replacement of SUN’s Airport Traffic Control Tower.

The Draft Environmental Assessment is available for public review and comment at https://iflysun.com/atct-replacement/ through Feb. 13, 2026.

The new Airport Traffic Control Tower would be constructed 84 feet southeast of the terminal on a 0.3-acre site and would feature updated air traffic control electronic systems.

The project would involve extension or relocation of access roads and utilities, relocation of existing radio communications equipment and the decommissioning and demolition of the current tower.

“Replacing our aging airport traffic control tower is an essential investment in the long‑term safety and efficiency of Friedman Memorial Airport,” said Airport Director Tim Burke. “This Draft Environmental Assessment represents a major milestone, and we encourage our community to review the document and share their feedback as we move toward a modernized facility that will serve the Wood River Valley for decades to come.”

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2027 with the new tower expected to be operational by 2032.

The FAA, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, is the lead federal agency for the completion of the Environmental Assessment.

Working closely with SUN’s airport planning consultants, the Airport and the FAA evaluated the potential environmental, economic, and social impacts of constructing a new control tower in a new location. The analysis, conducted using U.S. Department of Transportation  and FAA guidance and thresholds of significance, found no significant impacts associated with the proposed project.

Comments can also be mailed to Friedman Memorial Airport ATCT EA Comments, 1616 Airport Circle, Hailey, Idaho 83333, and must be postmarked no later than Feb. 13.