Another Bridge for the City of Bridges

Mar 9, 2023 | News Releases | 0 comments

Inspired by Pittsburgh’s Fort Pitt tunnel, PIT has unveiled designs of a connector bridge that will link the airport’s new terminal and existing Airside Terminal that will open in 2025.

Another Bridge for the City of Bridges

Pittsburgh’s most iconic feature may be its entrance from the Fort Pitt Tunnel into its Downtown. And now its airport is using the same idea.

Today, Pittsburgh International Airport unveiled the designs of a dynamic connector bridge and tunnel from the new landside terminal – now under construction – to the existing airside center core, a uniquely Pittsburgh gateway for passengers to reach their favorite airside shops, restaurants and, of course, gates.

“Pittsburgh is a city with a magnificent entrance and this design, as part of our new terminal program, provides travelers with a similar experience,” said Paul Hoback, Chief Development Officer for the Allegheny County Airport Authority. “Capturing the essence of Pittsburgh is an important part of our new facility.”

The connector bridge highlights PIT’s Nature, Technology and Community initiative – dubbed NaTeCo – of building for the future.

Just as the Fort Pitt Tunnel provides a dramatic entrance to the city of Pittsburgh, PIT’s connector bridge is designed to evoke the beauty of the region, with a feeling of expansion as passengers exit the bridge and reach the airside center core.

Dynamic lighting covering the ceiling inside the bridge will emulate the scenic skies of western Pennsylvania: light, fresh colors in the morning and deep oranges and purples near sunset.

“This is something that’s uniquely Pittsburgh, and we want passengers to have that feeling of awe as they enter the mezzanine level,” Hoback said.

Once passengers reach the end of the tunnel, the center core will expand into full view as new escalators guide them to the gate level.

One of the primary priorities in construction of the new terminal is “for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh,” and the connector bridge embodies PIT’s dedication to driving growth in the community, using fabricated materials from nearby Sippel Steel in Ambridge, Pa.

Renovations and changes

As terminal modernization continues, the airport will begin to look a bit different.

Construction on the connector bridge will begin around the escalators currently leading up to the center core from the train platform, including the installation of scaffolding and new wayfinding in the coming weeks.

Passengers should allow more time to get to their gates while construction is underway; new signage will help direct them once they get beyond the TSA checkpoint.

The new terminal is expected to open in 2025.

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