HAMMOND, La. (AP) — Construction of an air traffic control tower at Northshore Regional Airport moved closer to reality.

The City Council has accepted a $1.677 million bid from Spartan Construction Co. to build the tower on the west side of the airport near the main terminal.

The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/1bWRYk8 ) the council also agreed to borrow up to $350,000 from the city's sales tax fund to pay for the work.

The loan would be repaid with proceeds from the sale of a 17-acre city-owned tract near the airport.

Mayor Mayson Foster says the appraised value of the site is close to the amount to be borrowed from the sales tax fund.

Foster says construction should start in November and take about six months to complete.

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