PIT celebrates topping out of new land-side terminal

Airport leaders, elected officials, and industry partners gathered on Thursday, May 4, to celebrate the topping out for Pittsburgh International Airport‘s (PIT) new landside terminal – a key component in the US$1.4 billion Terminal Modernization Programme. The airport broke ground in October 2021 on the project that also includes one of the largest parking garages in western Pennsylvania and a new airport roadway system.

Topping out represents the point in a construction project when the highest point of the building is reached, or the final steel beam is put into place. Construction of the roof of the new terminal began on April 13. As part of the tradition, each of the 120 people gathered at Thursday’s celebration signed the final beam that will be placed atop the terminal roof this summer.

“The Pittsburgh region is already enjoying substantial economic benefits from the new terminal programme, which will only multiply as this innovative project continues to take shape,” said Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive. “The new Pittsburgh International Airport will be the anchor for the region as it attracts investment from all over the world.”

The Terminal Modernization Programme is scheduled to be completed in 2025 and is receiving no local tax dollars. It is adding nearly 14,300 direct and indirect jobs and generating approximately US$2.5 billion in economic activity for the Pittsburgh region. The new terminal is on track to earn at least LEED Silver certification for environmental sustainability. The parking garage will include 3,300 public spaces, much larger than the current garage.

“This project is a manifestation of our mission and it is being created by and for the people living in western PA with an emphasis on the nature, technology and community of the region,” said Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates and manages Pittsburgh International Airport.

“The new terminal will go further for our community and our passengers to create an innovative and welcoming experience to everyone who walks through here. I thank our community, particularly our elected leaders, for their support to make the idea of a new terminal at PIT a reality,” Cassotis added.