New Orleans Terminal Project Hits Milestone

Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the New Orleans Aviation Board, and local elected officials joined nearly 750 workers on hand as the highest steel beam was placed for the $993.7 million construction project.

The "topping out" ceremony at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport's new North Terminal site took place on Nov. 17, with Mayor Mitch Landrieu, the New Orleans Aviation Board, and local elected officials joining nearly 750 workers on hand as the highest steel beam was placed for the $993.7 million construction project. Signing the beam were all of the workers on site, local officials, and airport employees.

"It was an honor to join the construction crew today as we marked this major construction milestone for the North Terminal project," said Landrieu. "Through this project, we are delivering on our commitment to ensure that the people of New Orleans rebuild New Orleans. A diverse workforce is hard at work building this new terminal, and I am proud to see the progress we are making."

Other project milestones already achieved include:

  • Placing an estimated 1.7 million cubic yards of surcharge material
  • Installing nearly 16.1 million linear feet of wick drains
  • Installing all 7,520 pilings needed to support the terminal, concourses, central utility plant, parking garage, and elevated roadway

"This is a monumental project for the state and region that we are excited to celebrate today alongside the many construction workers who have worked to get the project to this stage," said Cheryl Teamer, chairwoman of the New Orleans Aviation Board. "This project has afforded opportunities to a multitude of local businesses and DBEs and has created new jobs for people throughout the region. We are excited to keep this project moving and look forward to having a new terminal in 2019."

The new terminal will feature three concourses, 35 gates, and a 2,190-car parking garage. It also will feature an in-line baggage system and a consolidated checkpoint. The new North Terminal is set to open in February 2019.