Reno?s new control tower is almost three times the height of the old tower, which was built in 1957.  The airport?s runways are considerably longer than they were when the old tower was built, which made it challenging for controllers to see aircraft on certain taxiways and runways. The old tower also experienced glare from lights on the cargo areas. 

Reno controllers also now will have state-of-the-art equipment that includes multicolor radar displays, touch-screen voice communications, and touch-screen work stations that provide instant information on everything from weather conditions to air traffic manuals. Double-thick sun shades will help prevent glare inside the 610-square-foot controller work area. Additionally, the new tower will have two backup power systems to help ensure uninterrupted operations.  

Tower controllers direct aircraft within about five miles of the airport up to an altitude of 3,000 feet.  The new tower and a 10,000 square-foot base building cost $29.4 million to build and equip. Construction began in January 2008.  Reno-Tahoe International Airport served about 100,000 flights in 2009. 

Reno-Tahoe International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located three nautical miles (6 km) southeast of the central business district of Reno, a city in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. It serves the Reno metropolitan area, western Nevada, and parts of eastern California and is the closest commercial airport to the vacation and ski resort destination of Lake Tahoe.