Construction of the new state-of-the-art tower will begin this year and will be completed by 2018, explains a release.

"The Oshawa Executive Airport is a key transportation asset and offers significant overall economic impact for the City and Durham Region," said councillor John Aker, chair of the development services committee, in a statement.

The new structure will be a four-storey, standalone facility located southwest of the existing control tower. The total cost of the project will be approximately $9 million.

"The existing control tower is nearly 50 years old. While a number of upgrades have been done over the past few years, the facility is nearing the end of its lifecycle," said Charles Lapointe, NAV CANADA vice-president, technical operations.

"Building a new tower is the most cost-effective method of providing the airport with the air traffic control services that will meet its current and future needs."

"The height and location of the new tower will provide our air traffic controllers improved sightlines to the runways and taxiways," Lapointe continued.

"This project is part of the increased investment the company has announced for infrastructure renewal and system modernization."