President Biden visits the Boston Logan International Airport on the occasion of the $62 million grant for the new Airport Terminal Program
BOSTON, MA, 2022-Sep-15 — /Travel PR News/ — The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today (September 12, 2022) welcomed President Joe Biden to Boston Logan International Airport’s Terminal E to celebrate a $62 million grant by the FAA as a part of the new Airport Terminal Program. This competitive grant program, which is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) passed in November 2021, awarded nearly $1 billion to 85 airports across the country to improve terminals of all sizes. The grant awarded to Logan Airport, the most awarded to any major U.S. airport, will be used to fund improvements to Terminal E that were eliminated due to COVID-related financial constraints ($50 million) and improvements to critical terminal area roadways ($12 million).
The improvements to Terminal E, as part of the Terminal E Modernization Project, will create a better travel experience for passengers, add four new aircraft gates for more seamless airside operations, upgrade the HVAC systems for energy efficiency and provide new electric passenger boarding bridges. Changes to the roadway system will enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and increase curbside efficiency and accessibility. These infrastructure projects ensure Logan Airport is able to connect New England residents and businesses to the global marketplace.
“Logan is more than an airport, it’s an economic engine. It was first built 100 years ago, it’s critical to our economy and to your economy, but it needs a significant upgrade to accommodate the passengers flying in and out from all over the world,” as President Biden said today. He added, “We are creating a modern terminal worthy of America’s City on the Hill.”
Terminal E Modernization Project:
Modernizing the facilities at Boston Logan’s international Terminal E ensures the Massachusetts economy continues to be connected to the world. Construction on the project began in spring 2019 and is expected to be completed in summer 2023. The project will create regional economic benefits and support nearly 1,000 full-time equivalent jobs during the construction phase.
Project details include:
- Roughly 500,000-square-foot building addition and renovations to the existing building;
- Four new international gates;
- New security checkpoint;
- An expanded Arrivals Level curb;
- Expanded ticketing area;
- Modern hold room and concession space;
- Enhanced outbound baggage handling system;
- Expanded baggage claim capacity;
- Improved vertical circulation;
- Advanced amenities, such as sensory room, pet relief area, and diversified seating options to enhance the passenger experience.
Terminal E Sustainability Benefits:
Our goal is to create a sustainable, high-performance, resilient, and resource efficient terminal building that is a comfortable and healthy environment for passengers and workers alike. The project is designed to serve as a noise barrier to the nearby East Boston neighborhoods and will achieve energy efficiencies at a minimum 20% better than the MA Energy Code. Upgrades to the HVAC system enabled by this grant will improve the terminal’s overall energy efficiency and help achieve LEED Gold certification.
The project integrates several innovative environmental features including photovoltaic window glazing, glare controlling View® glass and an energy efficient displacement ventilation system.
Other benefits include:
- Lower energy and greenhouse gas emissions;
- Water conservation;
- Additional waste management and recycling;
- Air quality improvement;
- Improved water quality/storm water;
- Reduced energy consumption.
Roadways Project
The Logan Roadways Improvement project will improve traffic flow and facilitate passenger access by providing safe and efficient roadways. The project will rehabilitate pavement for significant portions of the terminal roadway system including the Terminal A arrivals level, Terminal E arrivals level, and the roadway between Terminal C and Terminal E. Curbside improvements will improve accessibility and enhance access with passengers with disabilities. Enhancing roadway efficiency will reduce traffic congestion on the campus, improve the passenger experience, and reduce emissions.
“We are grateful to our Federal delegation for their strong support and advocacy as we work to improve the customer service and maintain a world-class experience for our passengers,” said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “This funding also supports our role as an economic engine for the Commonwealth and efficiently accommodates international demand today and in the future, while also minimizing environmental impacts and bringing us closer to our goal of being Net Zero by 2031.”
Economic impact
International flights generate billions of dollars in economic benefit to the Commonwealth. In 2019, international travelers to Massachusetts spent $4 billion and contributed $250 million in state and local taxes. Visitors from Canada, China, the UK and Germany top the list. Sustaining Boston’s competitive edge in international travel is critical to the state’s highly travel-dependent and diversified economic base, which is spread across science and knowledge-based sectors including information technology, biotechnology, healthcare, education, and medical scientific research and products. During the construction phase, the roadways project will provide 154 full-time equivalent jobs for area residents.
“Boston Logan is a vital hub for travelers in Massachusetts and beyond, and this federal funding from the Infrastructure Bill will help make much-needed improvements to our airport roadways and terminals,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “This federal investment will create over 1,000 new construction jobs, fund terminal renovations and expansions, and continue to grow our local economy.”
“This investment in Boston Logan represents a strong commitment to improving service and operations at one of our nation’s finest airports, and comes at a crucial time for travelers who are experiencing record delays and cancellations,” said Senator Edward Markey. “This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will create hundreds of good jobs here in our Commonwealth and ensure that travelers from the Bay State and across the world are able to travel more safely and swiftly, with fewer delays and shorter waiting lines.”
“As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am proud to announce that Logan Airport will be awarded two grants totaling $62 million dollars from the Department of Transportation’s Airport Terminal Program,” said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch. “This funding, which was provided for by the House-passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will be used to carry out critical renovation projects at Terminals A, C, and E—including roadway improvements, baggage claim expansions, and HVAC system replacements—and, in so doing, it is expected to create more than 1,000 well-paying jobs.”
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering concrete results for the people of New England,” said Congressman Bill Keating. “The $62 million awarded to Logan Airport does not just mean improvements to one of the country’s busiest airports or greater transportation options for travelers. It also means well-paying jobs. And for each of those new jobs created we will see money being put back into the Commonwealth’s economy, strengthening it. I look forward to the success of this project as well as the others that come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”
“I am thrilled to see this major funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law coming to Logan,” said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. “As travelers continue to experience delays and small businesses face ongoing supply chain disruptions, this investment in our airport infrastructure will both benefit the economy of Greater Boston and improve the lives of Massachusetts families.”
“Massachusetts is a world-class destination for millions of tourists, students, and business travelers every year. Our largest airport needs to reflect that,” said Congressman Seth Moulton. “This new federal investment in Logan is a positive step toward repairing an important aspect of our state’s neglected infrastructure—and it will create many new jobs along the way. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law affords us a once-in a lifetime opportunity to bring all Massachusetts infrastructure into the 21st century. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that happens.”
“Improving service and operations at Logan will help boost our economic recovery, create good-paying jobs, and make air travel for Massachusetts families safer and more efficient,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley. “This new funding will help us do just that and I won’t stop fighting to bring critical federal investments like these to my district and our Commonwealth.”
“When we passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we did so knowing it would improve the lives of every person across the Commonwealth,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan. “Of course, that means better roads, safer bridges, and cleaner drinking water, but it also means creating more jobs and improved travel through Massachusetts’ largest airport. I’m proud to announce this new round of investments in Logan and look forward to seeing the good-paying jobs it helps create.”
“A better Logan is a big win for Massachusetts, and another testament to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law we passed last year,” said Congressman Jake Auchincloss.
Powering What’s Possible. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport.
Source: Massport
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