
Lehigh Valley International Airport terminal connector and security checkpoint
Allentown, Pa.
Merit Award
Sent by: Airport Design Consultants Inc.
Owner: Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority
Main design company: The Sheward Association
General Contractor/MEP Engineer: Arora Engineers Inc.
Civil Engineer: Airport Design Consultants Inc. (ADCI)
Structural Engineer: RS&H
Geotechnical engineer: Schnabel Engineering
The team minimized disruption to airport operations through careful planning and phased implementation as it adapted to supply chain disruptions and adverse weather conditions.
Located in a sinkhole-prone environment, the airport’s geological conditions created engineering challenges, such as the depth of the micropiles for the foundation of the new facility. Advanced project management tools were used to track progress and facilitate real-time decision making.
Constructing a 25,000-square-foot connector building that connects the existing terminal with two other concourses, the team added four Transportation Security Administration screening lanes, four elevators and four escalators for both inbound passengers how to exit It also created TSA offices and support space, as well as an elevated walkway that spans part of the apron. This allowed vehicular traffic to flow underneath while passengers entered the concourse directly at door level. Previously, passengers used a tunnel connecting the main terminal and the departure building.
The $38 million project finished under budget and on schedule in 28 months.
