It was nearly two decades ago. The exact date is uncertain, but at a meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority long-time member Roger Diaz was emphatic the airport needed a new terminal as it headed into the future.

 

At that time, pre-9/11, the North Central West Virginia Airport was known as the Benedum Airport. And at that time, while passenger numbers were steady, they were declining from years past so some may have thought it was wishful thinking.

 

Diaz, however, said it was not “pie in the sky.” He insisted it needed to – and likely would – happen. Diaz just did not have a timeline.

 

Tuesday, with officials from throughout Harrison County on hand, a look at what Diaz – still a member, but not in attendance – said was coming arrived in conceptual format. Architects from the design team of L.R. Kimball and PSH+, and local firm Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., gave a preview of what the new terminal will look like.

 

“We’ve been working for three years, probably longer, to get to this point,” said Authority member and Bridgeport Mayor Andy Lang.

 

While Diaz and discussion may date back two decades or further, the actual legwork to go from discussion to reality has taken place in recent years that Lang mentioned. What was unveiled Tuesday was what the new near $35 million terminal and tarmac – part of a $50 million project when the earthwork is included – will look like.

 

“This is conceptual,” said Sydnor Tetterton, AIA, with PSH+. “We still have a long way to go.”

 

The concept, however, laid out the bones of where the terminal will be located off State Route 279, what it will basically look like, and some of the amenities within. From this point, in the next 9 to 12 months, according to Richard L. Holes, PE, with L.R. Kimball, the design work will be complete for a final product to be built. The goal, he added, was to have the building operational by the end of 2022. Airport officials are hoping no later than early 2023.

 

“We’re looking at a building that will help take this airport 40 to 50 years into the future,” said Holes.

 

Some of the features in and around the new likely 42,000 square foot building (current terminal is 16,000 square feet) is plenty of parking that can be expanded. A full buildout would provide 750 spaces, which is up from the 400 parking spaces now used by the airport and shared with Mitsubishi.

 

The new waiting room will hold up to 300 passengers at one time. The apron will be designed to hold two Airbus A320s and two Canadair Regional Jets.

 

The new terminal will also be multi-stories. Passengers arriving in Bridgeport will depart their plane and then take an escalator to the next floor for baggage pickup. There will also be a large meeting room, like the one in the current building that for years housed a restaurant, for Authority meetings as well as for public use and perhaps rentals.

 

The building and property will have room for expansion. Baggage claim, ticketing areas, expansion of the gates from two planned to three more. The planned taxiway for the terminal can also be widened.

 

“If the airport expands and things really get big, we have room for future development,” said Holes.

 

Holes said there would be room for things such as a “hotel” or a “restaurant” if needed. He also said even more parking could be created.

 

“The terminal building is positioned and organized in such a way to accommodate future growth. I’ve seen plenty of airports not plan for it,” sad Tetterton.

 

Access to the terminal will come from an existing exit ramp off Route 279, said Holes. A traffic impact study, he said, will be done to determine what improvements will be needed.

 

“We would be anticipating a right turn lane … a signalized intersection at Route 279 and there’s already a left turn lane and open it up and start using the left turn lane,” said Holes.

 

The road will provide access to more than just the terminal. It would provide access to the Aerotech park the Authority is creating, along with land for the terminal and tarmac, with the earth moving.

 

Utilities to the site will not be a problem. Holes said the furthest the property is away from any needed utility is 1,500 feet.

 

“All of our utilities are in very close proximity to this location,” said Holes.

 

While discussion dates back decades and planning for this began at least three years ago, the conceptual work started in late June with a question and answer session with airport stakeholders and the design team. From there, the conceptual design presented Tuesday was the choice of those involved.

 

Rick Rock, the NCWV Airport Director, singled out several groups for making this project happen. He pointed to the Benedum Airport Authority, Marion County Commission, Harrison County Commission, Harrison County Economic Development Corp., Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, many elected officials, and more. 

 

Additional photos showing some of the concepts, as well as individuals at Tuesday's gathering, in the gallery below.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Sydnor Tetterton of PSH+, while L.R. Kimball's Richard Holes is shown in the second photo. Bridgeport Mayor and Authority member Andy Lang is shown following the presentation, while the conceptual drawing of the airport from where planes will come in is shown below.