The new, two-storey terminal will feature more than 56,000 square feet of passenger and operational space with expanded screening, waiting and boarding areas. It will also offer other amenities, such as second level boarding via covered jet bridges, new concessions, and other passenger amenities.
The terminal will be designed to reflect the coastal elegance and heritage of Onslow County and is expected to showcase locally created artwork as well as items of historical significance. The new building will also bring about a significant improvement in energy efficiency, and will be built to meet projected demand through 2020 with provisions for cost effective expansion.
The new terminal will enhance passenger flow and baggage handling capabilities and will also accommodate new security equipment that was mandated after 11 September 2001. Construction is expected to begin in December 2012 and take 18 months to complete.
The cost of the entire terminal area redevelopment program is estimated at $37.5 million with the terminal building, itself, estimated to cost $22 million. Other costs include road and airfield paving at $6.6 million, baggage and passenger loading equipment at $2.4 million and replacement of other aging facilities that must be relocated to make way for the new terminal and roadways at $6.5 million.
Funding for the program is provided by various sources, including the FAA at $24.3 million; the NCDOT at $1.3 million; the TSA at $1 million; and locally generated funds such as passenger facility charges, contract facility charges, airport revenue and other local matching funds.
The FAA funding is provided by the Airport Improvement Program. The program is funded by the Aviation and Airways Trust Fund which generates its revenue from user fees and airline ticket taxes. The grant is the fourth, and largest, in a series to fund the design and construction of a new passenger terminal building and related facilities at the state’s commercial airport. Previously, the FAA provided $11,607,425 in design and construction grants for the terminal area redevelopment program.
The current passenger terminal was originally constructed in 1971, and had undergone various phases of renovation to reach its current space of 35, 000 square feet.
