Location Pittsburgh, PA
Client Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA)
Services Program Management
Project Value $1.7 Billion
To improve the passenger experience and circulation, facilitate airport and airline operations, reduce operational costs, and better meet the needs of travelers in the region, the ACAA undertook the ambitious $1.7 billion Terminal Modernization Program at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). The program comprised the delivery of a brand-new landside terminal, an arrival and departure ring-road system, surface parking lots, a multi-level parking garage, and more.
As PIT is no longer a hub airport—an important transfer location for passengers between connecting flights—one of the program’s primary aims was to reduce the distance between the airport’s landside and airside facilities and the time origin and destination (O&D) passengers spend navigating the airport. Accordingly, the new landside terminal is located next to the airside terminal, replacing an existing facility half a mile away. This will halve the travel time for O&D passengers going between the two terminals. A short pedestrian bridge connecting the two facilities also replaces PIT’s underground automatic people mover train, contributing to operational cost savings in excess of $4 million annually. Likewise, a new baggage handling system will be half the size of the existing system and contribute to further cost savings. Combined with high-efficiency lighting and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, these new features are expected to save more than $20 million annually.
Inside, the new landside terminal includes upgraded information systems and signage, welcoming and accessible check-in locations, streamlined security checkpoints and upgraded security systems, and a variety of amenities to improve the passenger experience, such as additional seating with device charging stations, new designs and art installations, improved restroom areas, and more. The program’s other major elements, including the arrival and departure ring-road system, the 2,800-space surface parking lot, and the 3,300-space garage, allow passengers easy access to the new landside terminal. Notably, the new parking areas include a state-of-the-art parking space finder system to help drivers find their vehicles, snow-melting technology, and electric charging stations.
Hill serves as an extension of the ACAA’s staff at PIT through an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract. For the Terminal Modernization Program, the Hill team was responsible for keeping the ACAA’s engineering staff informed about the new terminal project and the parking garage project. Managing these projects was complex, as each had a separate construction management firm as well as multiple prime contractors involved. By managing the projects’ many interfaces, Hill helped maintain effective communications across the program, reduced risk of conflict, and allowed the ACAA to make data-driven decisions about their program and projects in a timely fashion. Hill’s other responsibilities included constructability reviews, regulatory permitting, software management, conducting inspections, materials testing, safety management, commissioning, and operational readiness and airport transfer coordination.
Notably, Hill helped tie new buildings and systems into existing facilities while maintaining 24/7 operations. Having worked at PIT for many years, we also shared lessons learned at the start of construction and established protocols for sharing information between ongoing projects. These efforts promoted continuous improvement and contributed to project and program success.
