Airlines Approve Restart of New PIT Terminal

After pandemic pause, site to be prepared for building a modern, health-conscious airport

By Alyson Walls

Published March 22, 2021

Read Time: 3 mins

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Airlines serving Pittsburgh International Airport have approved restarting a critical infrastructure project that will advance the region’s pandemic recovery and inspire the return of travel with a new tech-forward, public health-centered terminal.

The airlines agreed on March 17 to fund $182 million in construction site prep work for the Terminal Modernization Program (TMP), a billion-dollar effort to build a new 700,000-square-foot terminal that consolidates ticketing, security checkpoints and baggage claim, and multi-modal complex that includes a new 3,300-space parking garage, rental car facilities and entrance roadways designed to improve the passenger experience.

To learn more about the TMP, go to PITtransformed.com

“This ballot approval is the result of many months of collaborative discussions with our airline partners, who have been supportive through every stage of design and decision-making on the TMP,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. “This officially clears the way for construction to begin on the first airport terminal in the U.S. to open post-pandemic, designed and constructed with the highest public health standards in mind.”

Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal will be accompanied by a Multi-Modal Center housing parking, rental car facilities and more. (Rendering courtesy of Gensler + HDR in association with luis vidal + architects)

The approval allows the Allegheny County Airport Authority to bid and award contracts for structural steel and concrete decks, foundations and underground utilities later this spring, and it provides funds for additional design of Airside Terminal renovations, ongoing program management and other work.

“The PIT team has been a fantastic partner throughout this entire process,” said Patrick Bowes, manager of corporate real estate for American Airlines and chair of the Airport and Airline Affairs Committee. “While we still need to finalize a long-term agreement, the fact that there is airline support of the Terminal Modernization Program during what has been a very challenging time for our industry and the entire economy is a testament to the great work the team has done—and the merits of the project itself.”

Last week, the Airport Authority issued notices to proceed on more than $19 million in contracts to local firms Independence Excavating, W.G. Tomko and Westmoreland Electric for early site work that was originally scheduled to begin last April between concourses C and D. The pandemic paused those plans.

During the year-long pause, officials re-examined the TMP design and operational plans specifically through the lens of public health and safety to address new concerns created by the pandemic.

“We found that our design was right on target with features including large outdoor terraces, ample indoor space for social distancing, flexibility for next-gen tech, and materials and touchless processes that improve public health and safety,” said Airport Authority Chief Development Officer Paul Hoback.

Outdoor spaces pre- and post-security will allow guests and travelers to gather fresh air and relieve crowding indoors. (Rendering courtesy of Gensler + HDR in association with luis vidal + architects)

As vaccines roll out and travelers slowly return, officials are excited to proceed with modernizing and right-sizing the facilities at PIT with early site work that establishes a construction perimeter isolated from public areas and roadways.

“We’ve already seen a huge response to our first bid package (structural steel and concrete decks) advertised earlier this month,” sai