Bangor International Airport begins $59M of terminal, runway improvements

File photo / Courtesy, Bangor International Airport Bangor International Airport will get a new surface for its runway, and will build a connection between its two terminals.

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By William Hall

Bangor International Airport is taxiing to the start of two major infrastructure improvement projects, expected to cost a total of more than $59 million.

The airport runway is scheduled to be completely rehabbed and repaved over the next two construction seasons at a cost of $45 million, airport officials said Tuesday. And another $14.2 million will go to connect the domestic and international terminals at BGR.

The makeover of the runway is needed because it's at the end of its useful life, according to the airport.

Runways typically are redone every 15 to 20 years. The project, part of the airport's master plan, includes milling and overlaying the entire 11,440-foot-long runway, as well as some necessary equipment upgrades that support it.

The work is slated to begin April 1. Northeast Paving, a Bangor division of Eurovia Atlantic Coast LLC, won the bid for the job.

During April, the runway will be closed overnight. From April 29 to May 24, the runway will be fully closed from 8 a.m. on Mondays to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, and there will be no air service at Bangor International during these times.

The project is funded with $27.4 million from the Federal Aviation Administration, just over $1.5 million each from the Maine Department of Transportation and the airport itself, and $15.9 million from the Maine Air National Guard.

Elsewhere at the airport, contractors will be working to connect BGR's two terminals and make other changes to improve amenities and expand gate space. That project, which is funded by the federal government, will also get underway in April and should take about 18 months.

Passenger traffic at the airport has increased significantly — more than 30% in the last five years — and there is growing demand for more space and amenities in the post-security terminal area, according to the airport.

“We realize that there is a never a convenient time for runway closures or construction projects to take place, but our goal is to minimize the impact to passengers and tenants while making a significant investment in the airport’s future,” said Jose Saavedra, the airport's director.

“These projects are not funded by taxpayer dollars, but will certainly benefit all who come to BGR."