The Federal Aviation Administration has determined a new attraction reaching up to 355 feet at Busch Gardens will have “no substantial adverse effect” on area aircraft safety.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg filed a notice with the FAA in August for the 355-foot structure in Oktoberfest, which is currently identified as Project 2021 and could reach a peak of 435 feet above sea level.
On Wednesday, the FAA published a determination letter on its obstruction evaluation case tracking system.
The letter gives the project the green light, so long as the attraction has a red light marker at the top. The FAA also requires the park to notify them if the light ever malfunctions for more than 30 minutes.
Busch Gardens will also need to contact the FAA and file a notice of “actual construction or alteration” within five days of construction reaching its greatest height.
Busch Gardens construction information filed with the FAA notice estimate construction to occur between Jan. 6, 2020 and June 30, 2021.
The type of attraction Project 2021 will be remains a mystery to the public.
To move forward with the project, Busch Gardens will still need to submit site plans to James City County before construction to ensure it complies with guidelines set by the Board of Supervisors.