Control tower’s completion date moves to spring Published July 30, 2013 By Senior Airman Frank Casciotta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The completion date for the new control tower at Vance Air Force Base, initially scheduled for this summer, has been delayed until approximately February 2014. The $9.5 million dollar project has experienced many challenges since the beginning, said Braven Dyer, the project engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers on base. Initial delays were due to a redesign for the elevator and stairs to accommodate a gurney in case of a medical emergency in the tower's cab. "Our biggest challenge now is the 'footprint' of the building," said Dyer. "Each level is 630 square feet, which gives us a relatively small area to work in." The small workspace requires very specific equipment that must be ordered. But, before the equipment arrives, engineers use building information modeling to check things out. "Before we do any work, we use the BIMs to make sure everything will work," said Dyer. These digital models show how the physical objects will work in reality and allow engineers to test fit parts and equipment. "It has been tough to get all the equipment designed, procured and installed," said Dyer. "We have also made staffing changes on the worksite to improve productivity." Once complete the new control tower will stand 32 feet taller than the current one.