Terminal Entrance Canopy Under Way at Greater Rochester International Airport
Workers raised the first 80-foot steel arch into place April 24. Five more will be installed as part of the $79.4 million project.
State, county, and local officials were on hand April 24 when the first of six arches was installed for a new Terminal Entrance Canopy at the Greater Rochester International Airport. It is part of a renovation of the airport that is funded in part through New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's $200 million upstate airport economic development and revitalization competition; Monroe County contributed $14 million and the Monroe County Airport Authority contributed $25 million in non-taxpayer funding, according to Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo.
"This is a very 'uplifting' day for residents and families across our community," Dinolfo said at the ceremony celebrating the raising of the 13,000-pound, 80-foot arch. "Today, we are putting the first pieces in place to build a brighter future with more visitors, more employers, and more jobs right here in Monroe County. The airport is the front door to our community, and this project will help us make a great first impression with visitors and employers flying to our region."
Cuomo said the project's start "is great news for Rochester as we seek to reimagine airports across New York to improve the functionality, safety, and security of these critical transportation hubs. New York's airports are the gateways to regional tourist destinations and businesses, and by transforming Rochester Airport we will make it easier to visit Monroe County and drive economic activity in the Finger Lakes region for decades to come."
Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul took part in the beam raising ceremony. "Airports are the gateways to our communities, and as a frequent visitor to our upstate airports I know how important the customer experience is," she said. "One of New York's signature investments in the Finger Lakes region is the transformation of the Greater Rochester International Airport. Investing in infrastructure provides a significant boost to our local economies. The upgrades to the Rochester Airport will help to fuel the growth of the region and bolster our Finger Lakes Forward strategy."
When completed, the canopy will help protect the roadway outside the terminal from snow and ice during the winter and protect people waiting curbside. It will have a 40,000-gallon rainwater collection system for irrigation and landscaping during the summer months, as well as 24-hour enhanced security measures and LED lighting at night.
The airport currently is served by Air Canada, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and United Airlines, handling approximately 115 flights per day and approximately 2.4 million passengers annually.