Channel 11 tours new airport terminal construction site as work continues on schedule
Construction is moving along as scheduled for Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal, on track to open to travelers in early 2025.
Channel 11 had the opportunity to tour the construction site on Wednesday, as the property begins to take shape. Steel beams supporting the terminal have been put in place, and road construction is just getting started.
“I think it’s a proud moment for Pittsburgh, and I think it’s important to stress that the people building this are your neighbors, your friends, some might be your relatives,” said Christina Cassotis, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO.
Cassotis said that more than 80% of the contracts awarded for the $1.4 billion project went to locally based firms.
Some of the steel that’s being used for the terminal is being fabricated just miles away in Ambridge.
“This is an airport built for and by Pittsburgh with a regional economic impact of $2.5 billion,” according to Paul Hoback, chief development officer.
No Allegheny County tax dollars are being used to fund the undertaking.
“These are our revenues... from our parking, concessions, all of the things that come from our operations, and then, the airlines,” said Cassotis. “The airlines had to approve this, and the big win for us is that they did. In the middle of a pandemic, they said ‘yes, this makes sense.’ So that indicates that there’s a lot of confidence in our market.”
Airport officials told Channel 11 that the new terminal will have the “essence” of Pittsburgh, with terraces landscaped in a way that’s reflective of the region’s topography. Travelers will have improved access to fresh air, better positioning the airport to handle any other pandemic or public health emergency.
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The terminal will feature additional security lanes, so that travelers can get to their gates sooner. A new parking garage will also add thousands of covered spots.
“We expect that this will result in a different view of Pittsburgh and, at the end of the day, as we see more economic activity, that means more flights,” Cassotis said.
The new terminal has a “flexible” design to accommodate any additional airlines that may choose to come to Pittsburgh.
“The last thing we’d want to do is prohibit growth,” Cassotis said.
The new terminal will include a TGI Fridays, but other plans for shops and concessions are still in the works. Cassotis declined to comment on the authority’s ongoing litigation with its airmail operator.
While work is underway on the road system, travelers are encouraged to allow extra time to get to and from the airport, as there may be restrictions at times.
Officials aren’t sure what will become of the old terminal, once the new one is functional.
“We’re hoping that we can preserve it, we hope that there’s a use for it and that the private sector sees a use for this,” said Cassotis. “It’s a terrific building for something. But, we have demolition funds put aside.”
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