South Bend, IN. – Officials gathered at South Bend International Airport (SBN) today to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for SBN UpFront, a nearly $20 million project that will positively impact the passenger experience. This one-and-a half-year project is focused on passenger safety, improving traffic flow on the front drive, and increasing efficiency as historic levels of passenger growth continue to take place.
The project includes a new transportation lane that will be used by taxis, rideshares like Uber and Lyft, and shuttles to reduce congestion on the front drive. A median will separate this lane from the front drive. Raised crosswalks will be added. New canopies will cover two lanes of the front drive providing shelter from rain and snow for drop-offs and pick-ups. An updated aesthetic will beautify the terminal façade.
With this project, SBN is the first airport in the state of Indiana to utilize the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model that allows infrastructure projects to be developed through a public-private partnership. Efficiencies in time and cost are realized by combining design and engineering with construction estimates in real-time.
“As we continue to grow, we continue to assess the passenger experience,” said Mike Daigle, CEO and executive director. “We are excited for the safety improvements and modernization this project will bring to everyone flying in and out of SBN. I would like to thank each of our project partners and the State of Indiana for their work to bring this project to fruition.”
Project partners include GM Development, The Hagerman Group, BF&S Civil Engineers, JQOL, Abonmarche, C&E Excavating, and the State of Indiana.
Passengers and the community can remain up to date with construction progress at https://flysbn.com/upfront/. Anticipated construction completion is August 2027,
About South Bend International Airport
South Bend International Airport’s five air carriers provide nonstop flights to sixteen destinations: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Orlando, Punta Gorda, Phoenix/Mesa, Sanford, Sarasota/Bradenton, Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, and Washington, D.C. with connections world-wide. South Bend International’s multi-modal terminal serves over 1.5 million air and rail passengers each year.
For additional information, please refer to www.FlySBN.com or get social with SBN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FlySBN), Instagram (@SBNairport), LinkedIn (@South Bend International Airport) or X (@SBNairport) to stay informed about the airport and the carriers that serve the South Bend region.
