New Pittsburgh Airport Terminal Adding Unique Tunnel Element

FINDLAY TOWNSHIP, PA — Even for long-time Pittsburgh residents, the experience is spectacular. Motorists traveling on a barren section of the Parkway West go through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and upon emerging from it get a sudden, breathtaking view of Downtown and the North Shore.

Pittsburgh International Airport is attempting to emulate that experience for air travelers in its new Landside Terminal that will connect to the existing Airside Terminal. The tunnel will link the two terminals.

"So you're coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnel and ta-da! There's the city before you,"Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis told WTAE-TV."Now we have actually changed the design so that you can come through the tunnel after TSA and the entire center core is going to be open before you."

According to Blue Sky, the airport's online news site, connector bridge construction will start near the escalators leading up to the center core from the train platform. Travelers should expect to see scaffolding and new wayfinding in a few weeks.

Airport officials are advising people to allow more time to get to their gates as construction continues.

The new $1.4 billion terminal is slated to open in 2025.