The John Glenn International Airport in Ohio is set to receive a major upgrade.
Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) awarded a $2 billion contract to develop a new passenger terminal, in a collaboration between construction firm Hansel Phelps and local developer Elford.
The aging terminal at the airport, which first opened in 1958 and currently handles over eight million passengers annually, is now set for a major overhaul. The project involves replacing this terminal with a new, larger one designed by Gensler in collaboration with local architect Moody Nolan.
The new terminal will span one million square feet and is expected to accommodate more than 13 million passengers each year. Once the new terminal is operational, the existing structure will be demolished.
It will feature five main components: a pedestrian bridge, an entry canopy and head house, a marketplace, and east and west concourses.
The pedestrian bridge will link the terminal to the nearby car rental facility and parking garage, while the entry canopy will extend over four lanes of traffic and feature a 74-foot cantilevered structure.
Developers say a the marketplace will serve as a central gathering area with views of the airfield, offering dining and retail options.
The east and west concourses will include additional retail and concession spaces, boarding gates, and hold rooms.
It will also feature 36 gates designed to accommodate A320 and 737 aircraft.
"We are truly honored to be selected as CRAA's partner on a landmark project that will transform the future of aviation in Columbus. We found an ideal local partner in Elford. They bring values that align perfectly with ours and a 113-year history in the Columbus region," said Matt McCaulley, Director of Operations and Hansel Phelps.
"Together, we are committed to fulfilling CRAA's vision for the New Terminal Project in a way that is collaborative, inclusive and maximizes benefits to local business and the Central Ohio community," he added.
The project is currently in the design development phase, with construction expected to begin in late 2024. The new terminal is anticipated to open between the end of 2028 and early 2029.
In related aviation news, plans are underway in Saudi Arabia to establish the world's largest airport by the end of the decade, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious goal to cement the country as a global travel hub.
With an estimated initial passenger capacity of 120 million a year, and 185 million by 2025, the airport would become the largest in the world by passenger volume.
The PIF, Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, said the airport will "boost Riyadh's position as a global logistics hub and stimulate transport, trade and tourism."
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Joe Edwards is a Live News Reporter based in Newsweek's London Bureau. He covers U.S. and global news and has ... Read more
