Building of Pittsburgh International Airport Tech-Forward Terminal Worth $1.4 Billion

Pittsburgh has its sights set on the future, with the construction of a massive futuristic airport terminal at the PIT. The 700,000 square-foot terminal project makes Pittsburgh International Airport the country’s first terminal built from the ground up in a post-pandemic environment.

The new facility, designed with public health and technology in mind, will include state-of-the-art clean air structures, more space for social distancing, and 90,000 square feet of outdoor terrace space- both pre-and post-security to ensure continued access to fresh air, a rarity for U.S. airports.

The new terminal is intended to modernise the airport, improve the passenger experience, keep airline prices steady, and progress the region’s economy. It will also be among the most environmentally friendly in the sector, as authorities went to build to LEED-certified platinum or higher standards.

The airport’s microgrid, which is powered by 10,000 solar panels and five natural gas generators, will power it. A minimum of 75% of debris created during construction will be recovered or repurposed, including concrete from existing airfield ramps that will be utilised for new roadways. Rainwater harvesting and other water saving measures are also in the works.

“As we break ground with the concrete that has been here for decades, we are breaking ground on more than just a building; we are breaking ground on the future of travel”, Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport. “Today, we are setting a new benchmark for infrastructure initiatives.”

 The new terminal will centralise activities like ticketing, security checks, and baggage claim, resulting in a much-improved customer experience. Its single terminal design, in particular, cuts passenger journey time from the curb to airside by half.

The multi-modal complex includes a new 3,300- space parking garage, rental car facilities, and entry lanes, all of which are intended to enhance the passenger experience. These new facilities are set to open in early 2025.