QC Airport celebrates milestone in terminal construction project

QC Airport celebrates milestone in terminal construction project

August 29, 2024

The final steel beam for the QC Airport's new 14,000-square-foot baggage makeup building was placed today in a topping-out ceremony hosted at the construction site. Project GATEWAY, the airport's terminal construction program, broke ground approximately five months ago.

When complete, the building will allow for a seamless baggage screening process that takes TSA machinery out of public view, allows airline ground handlers to quickly and efficiently load baggage carts to be loaded onto aircraft, and includes parking for small airline equipment to help reduce wear and tear brought on by the elements.

"While construction has been active just a few short months, today was years in the making," said Benjamin Leischner, A.A.E., executive director, Quad Cities International Airport. "We couldn't make meaningful changes to the passenger experience in the terminal without first modernizing the baggage screening and handling operations, so to see this finally move from planning, designing and concepting to reality is a historic moment for the airport."

Airport employees and leaders had an opportunity to sign the beam, which will remain on display inside, once the building is complete. Concurrently to the baggage makeup facility construction, airline ticketing counters are also receiving a major facelift to accommodate a new circular belt that will feed into the baggage building.

The ticketing counters will give a glimpse of what's to come for the rest of the public side of the terminal, with modern fixtures that were intentionally selected to give the space a light and airy feeling, while incorporating design touches that feel quintessentially Quad Cities.

"We take pride in being the hometown airport for our region and when people return home, or we welcome guests, we want them to know they've landed someplace special by creating a space that feels like the home we all know and love," said Leischner.

Construction began April 4, 2024 for project one, and is expected to conclude in May 2025. The project will cost approximately $18.1 million dollars, with $13 million supported by grant funding. Project GATEWAY will include additional phases, such as adding a curbside canopy, replacing the brick floors, upgrading restrooms, adding mothers' suites and family/companion care rooms, relocating the public meeting space, and right-sizing food, beverage and retail spaces.

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