BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Construction of the new $25 million terminal building at the North Central West Virginia Airport is on budget and on time, according to airport director Rick Rock.
Pittsburgh-based Mascaro Construction is the general contractor for the project that has been decades in the making.
“We hope it will be in service by the second quarter of 2025,” Rock said. “If we can get it done earlier, that’s great, but we know this will serve for the next 100 years, and this is a marathon, not a sprint.”
The new terminal, on the grounds of the AeroTech Industrial Park, will have much more space, new aprons, and improved taxiways. Rock said the work area is busy with both the building construction trades and utility and infrastructure operations outside.
“We have a lot of projects going on around it,” Rock said. “We have to pave the taxiway, build aprons, build entrance ways and provide all the logistical support around the infrastructure.”
The new terminal will be a big surprise for travelers who have used the existing terminal. The new building will have the look and feel of much larger terminals with conveniences that aren’t possible in the current building.
“When people come into the terminal for the first time, they’ll notice it’s triple the size; there’s a lot of natural light,” Rock said. “It’s modern; escalators, elevators—just everything you’re looking for when you travel—it’s all about the passenger.”
Rock said CKB and the AeroTech Industrial Park provide more than $1 billion in economic impact for the region, and that will grow. The growth is expected to be in the form of expanded travel options and carriers, continued growth of industrial aviation operations, and academic opportunities offered by Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community and Technical College.
“The intent is to grow so we can add seat capacity coming into West Virginia and offer better destinations and better frequencies leaving West Virginia,” Rock said.
Rock said the airport has continued full operations as the terminal building comes together. Contractors and project managers have kept the project on track, and there are high hopes for the finished product.
“I’m very proud of our contractors and my project manager,” Rock said. “I think the finished product will be something we can be very proud of.”
Story by Mike Nolting, WAJR