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Traveling Through ABE Just Got Easier

New Connector Now Open!

Since 1974, an underground tunnel has been the direct connection for passengers between the Main Terminal and Departure Building at Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE). That long-time existing travel route is changing as the Airport elevates the customer experience!

Project Highlights

Up to (4) TSA security checkpoint screening lanes

Improved vertical circulation equipment (escalators and elevators)

Shorter walking distances with separation of arriving and departing passengers

Enhanced air purification system (LifeAire)

Renderings of entrance to TSA precheck and TSA screening lines
Renderings of overhead entrance view for queue to TSA precheck and TSA screening lines

Project Funding

Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority$15 Million

*Financed through local bank consortium (Fulton Bank, Fidelity Bank, Peoples Security Bank)

Federal Grants

Federal Aviation Administration (Airport Terminal Program Grant or ATP)$5 Million
Community Project Funding (CPF)$600,000

State Grants

RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program)$4 Million
PennDOT Bureau of Aviation Capital Budget Grants$7.04 Million
PennDOT Multimodal Grant$1.46 Million
ACE Grant (Alternative and Clean Energy Program)$820,000

Inside the Construction Plan

Groundbreaking Ceremony – May 27, 2021

Building Concrete: 1,220 Cubic Yards

Steel: 550,000 lbs of steel or 275 tons

Glass: 62,000 lbs or 6,100 square feet or 31 tons

Metal Panels: 36,200 lbs or 18,100 square feet or 18 tons

Terrazzo Floor: 16,800 square feet

Cable: 83 miles of cable infrastructure

Site Concrete: 290 Cubic Yards

Asphalt Pavement: 2,370 tons

Site Utilities: 1,820 linear feet

Micropiles: 215 total with lengths from 20 to 160 feet deep

Bridge Construction looking towards existing gate area
Overhead view of construction progress

LEED Gold Certification

This project is pursuing LEED Gold Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

  • Installation of Electrochromic Insulated Glass Unit provided by Halio. These are smart-tinting glass windows that appear as ordinary clear glass until it tints uniformly to block excessive solar heat and reduce glare.
  • 100% of insulation, flooring materials and ceiling materials used within the building envelope are low VOC to reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage human health and productivity.
  • A whole building energy simulation has been completed determined a total energy cost saving of 27.3% compared to similar buildings.
  • Installation of a high-reflectance white roof was specified for the building, while the sidewalks and apron paving are white concrete. Using materials with a higher solar reflectance index (SRI) reduce the negative impacts of a heat island, which radiate heat and elevate regional warming.
  • As part of the overall scope, the Airport also renovated its Short-Term and Long-Term Parking Lots which included 10 charging stations for electric vehicles, located near the building entrance to promote the importance of reducing harmful emissions
  • The restrooms located near the new TSA Checkpoint are fully-renovated and have water fixtures with low flush and flow rates, to achieve a 38.03% reduction, or save over 57,000 gallons of water per year.

Environmentally Friendly

The TSA Checkpoint / Terminal Connector project has recycled the following materials:

  • Over 625 tons of concrete/rubble
  • 325 tons of asphalt
  • 26 tons of wood
  • 18 tons of metal

Health & Safety

  • ABE is the first airport facility in the world to install a LifeAire System. The Lehigh Valley built air-purification system reduces airborne pathogens (including COVID-19) by more than 99% and achieved a 96% reduction in harmful surface pathogens in a recent healthcare study.
  • Installation of Schindler handrail Ultra UV (PRO) 2.0 handrail device which uses UVC light to treat the handrails. This directly damages the genetic material of bacteria and viruses and helps prevent spread.

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