b'16 PIT TERMINALSConstruction logistics were complex, as with any project at aSpecial care was taken during work above and near the seven busy airport. Hoback relates the process to changing the tires onunderground tunnels that allow goods, tugs, baggage and people a speeding car. And I think our team here in Pittsburgh really didto move between the two existing terminal buildings, which are a that brilliantly, he remarks. Considering all of the work that wouldhalf-mile apart. The tunnels and trains that pass through them had occur throughout the 811,000-square-foot project, it was evidentto remain operational throughout construction.that managing the flow of construction equipment, supplies andDrilling foundations, erecting structural steel and other work workers to and from the job site would be a tremendous challenge.occurring above the tunnels required significant coordination. To facilitate work while also reducing impact to operations andFrom the earliest parts of the project, we needed to structurally airport roadways, PIT got creative. Early in the planning process,plan not to disturb operation of the train for the period of site logistics and construction phasing were assessed and workingconstruction, says Sponza. Structural and civil engineering teams in partnership with FAA, the airport closed down Taxiway B onworked closely to develop a girder system or rib cage that the north side of the airfield and used it as a secure constructionspanned the train tunnels, locating all the building foundations on entrance to the site. This kept construction vehicles off of theeither side, she explains. major public roadways and out of traffic circulating on airport roadways.Challenges also occurred above ground. At any one time, 16 to 20 cranes were operating on the airport, which required careful Everything is completely off the airport roadway system becausecoordination with the FAA air traffic control tower and Operations we used a different interchange off of our interstate highway systemDepartment. Its an orchestra thats happening out there, Hoback and connected that interchange to Taxiway Bravo with a newsays. Everybodys playing their own instruments, and when everybody roadway, Hoback explains. With up to 1,400 construction workersis doing it the right way, it sounds like a beautiful symphony.each day at peak times, this had a significant effect. In addition to airport security, we had in place a terrific safetyOperational Readinessand security program to control access on and off site, allowingAt the end of September, PITs Terminal Modernization Project was the complete separation of construction traffic and airportestimated to be 94% complete. Only construction that couldnt passenger and employee traffic, Peduzzi adds.occur until after opening day remained, notes Hoback.At that point, training, testing and commissioning took center stage, although testing had been occurring for several months. To help identify potential problems and ensure functional success before the official public debut, the airport organized a series of operational test runs. Its multi-tier approach included basic trials of one element or system, advanced trials combining multiple elements, and then integrated trials with hundreds, even Leading the Waythousands, of people invited to the terminal to test the full system in Apron Lighting at work.Were learning with every trial, and trying to find things that we need to fix so we can make sure opening day is just like any other day at the airport, Hoback commented in late September. The first public trial, held on Saturday, Sept. 20, involved 300 participants testing systems and processes from check-in, to TSA, to baggage handling. About 2,000 participants are expected for the second trial scheduled for Oct. 25. This full-scale dress rehearsal is designed to replicate what a typical day at PIT will look and feel like, ensuring the systems, airport department and partners are ready to operate the new terminal. PITs in-house Operational Readiness, Activation and Transition (ORAT) team, led by Charlotte Douglas Airport Daniel Bryan, has been closely embedded with Charlotte, North Carolina the project from the beginning. Bringing ORAT in at design enables the building to be shaped around the operation rather than the operation Scan the QR code or go tohaving to work around the building, he notes. promo.musco.com/airport2024 Operational readiness extends beyond the DANIEL BRYANto learn more facility to include airport personnel, Hoback adds. Roughly a year ago, PIT created a team comprised of 2024 Musco Sports Lighting, LLC - ADLAL24-3 members from each department within the airport and partner November | December 2025AirportImprovement.com'