The multi-layered project to modernize Pittsburgh International Airport took another big step forward Friday.

The Allegheny County Airport Authority Board of Directors awarded an $8 million contract to Pittsburgh-based Michael Baker International to provide architectural and engineering design and construction services for landside projects as part of the Terminal Modernization Program, or TMP.

The contract represents the first of two phases to design and construct a new multi-use parking garage and ground transportation center, rental car facilities, parking lots, access roads and more. The total contract for both phases of design is estimated to be $18.1 million.

Michael Baker International joins Gensler and HDR in association with luis vidal + architects, the team already working on the overall concept design for the new terminal. That design concept is expected to be unveiled at the annual State of the Airport event on Feb. 20 at the Westin Convention Center Hotel in Downtown Pittsburgh.

“The purpose of having world-class design teams is to ensure that we have the absolute best ideas and the brightest talent working on this once-in-a-lifetime project,” said Paul Hoback, senior vice president of Engineering, Planning and Capital Development. “We also want to ensure that we have local representation and that the new terminal is reflective of our region.”

A reflection of the region

The terminal concept designs incorporate themes of nature, technology and community, with input from the program advisory group, community working groups, passenger surveys and other public input that will continue until the project’s expected completion in 2023.

The design teams will work together in coordinating concepts for landside and airside functions, which will be consolidated in the new terminal built between Concourses C and D.

Founded in western Pennsylvania nearly 80 years ago, Michael Baker “will ensure that our region is reflected in the design and construction of this signature project,” said H. Daniel Cessna, the firm’s senior vice president and regional director of the Pennsylvania Headquarters Region.

Once the overall concept design is unveiled in February, the teams will develop schematics for the terminal and ground transportation center from March through June. Construction management teams for both the landside and airside projects are also expected to be selected in February or March.

Design development will occur from June through November, with an anticipated initial project groundbreaking by the end of 2019.

Announced in September 2017, the TMP is a bold plan to modernize PIT to meet the changing needs of airlines, passengers and the travel industry.

Built for connecting passengers and a single airline 26 years ago, PIT has a lack of covered parking, two inadequate security checkpoints, a costly underground train, a separate international arrivals area, and outdated baggage systems that were not designed for origin-and-destination travelers, officials said.

“We are aligning our modernization and development plans to continue advancing the region,” Hoback said. “Our land, facilities and the region’s assets can all come together here in a new modern airport.”