New York Construction Report staff writer
A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the start of a major transformation project at the Greater Binghamton Airport.
“The dramatic improvements now taking place at the Greater Binghamton Airport will create a modern travel gateway that’s worthy of the Southern Tier and help fuel the continued growth and prosperity of the entire region, said New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Dominguez.
Major construction has started on the airport’s terminal building including the demolition of existing restaurant, kitchen and interior hallways to allow for the construction of temporary waiting areas, new restroom facilities, and a walkway to a jet bridge.
Also, work on the new outdoor canopy and entrance portals will begin this spring. The project, which was awarded $32 million from the Governor’s $230 million Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition, will reimagine the passenger terminal, and redevelop the airport’s main approach road to improve passenger flow and better accommodate the needs of travelers.
The project also includes the relocation of the general aviation terminal to the main passenger terminal.
“With the start of major construction, we have taken a big step toward providing Southern Tier travelers with a state-of-the-art airport that will make their journeys more pleasurable and also serve as an economic engine for the entire region,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The improvements we are making to the Greater Binghamton Airport are part of our ongoing efforts to revitalize airports across upstate New York and create world-class travel experiences that will encourage people and businesses to visit, live and work in the Empire State.”
The Greater Binghamton Airport was one of nine upstate airports awarded a total of $230 million in the latest round of the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization Competition funding announced by Governor Hochul last year with conceptual renderings. The awards are intended to promote, revitalize and accelerate investments in upstate commercial passenger service airports, helping to create airports for the 21st century. State and local officials gathered at the airport this morning for a groundbreaking ceremony at the facility.
The modernization project, which has an estimated total cost of $47.8 million, is expected to create more than 500 jobs and be completed by the winter of 2025. Planned improvements include:
- Redevelopment of the Airport Road approach
- Construction of a new canopy and entry portals
- Reconfiguration of the ticketing lobby and outbound baggage area
- Renovation of the departures lobby and lounge
- Renovation of the baggage claim area and relocation of rental car counters
- New parking revenue control system
- Construction of a new Customs and Border Protection Facility
The Greater Binghamton Airport also received $7 million in federal funding that was made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Airport Terminal Program.