Contractor chosen for construction of Milwaukee Airport's fresh terminal building
Milwaukee, WI - The Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is set to undergo a significant transformation with the construction of a new international terminal. The project, which has been approved by the Finance Committee, is expected to commence as early as August 2025, although it remains contingent on final funding and arrangements.
The general contractor for the $95.2 million project is J.H. Findorff & Son, who will oversee site work, excavation, selective demolition, and fueling system upgrades. The construction manager is Gilbane Building Company, with design services provided by architecture firm Alliiance.
The project involves the replacement of Concourse E, originally built in the 1960s and closed in 2016, and the International Arrivals Building. The new terminal is expected to feature 2-5 new gates and offer improved customs processing and traveler amenities, aiming to significantly enhance the passenger experience and position Milwaukee as a more competitive hub for international air travel.
The project's total cost has risen from its initial budget of $55 million in 2019 due to pandemic-related delays, inflation, and rising material costs. The funding will come from a mix of federal and state grants, as well as airport revenues. Officials plan to apply for final-year federal terminal grant funding.
Other developments underway at the airport include a $75 million cargo facility and a $17.2 million pedestrian bridge expansion, both expected to finish by 2026. HM Brandt of Lannon will handle the demolition of the existing concourse.
The new terminal is expected to improve operational capacity and boost the local economy, with the Milwaukee County Executive, David Crowley, expressing his support for the project due to its economic impact and importance to the region's connectivity. Local business and labor groups, including the Milwaukee Metropolitan Association of Commerce, have also praised the initiative.
In summary, the start date for the construction of the new international terminal at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is projected for late summer 2025 but remains tentative until all funding and final project details are finalized. The project is set to bring numerous benefits, including improved passenger experience, increased operational capacity, and enhanced economic growth for the region.
[1] Milwaukee Business Journal, "Milwaukee Mitchell Airport terminal project gets new contractor, revised budget", 2023. [2] JS Online, "Milwaukee Mitchell Airport terminal project delayed, costs rise", 2020.
- The construction manager for the new international terminal project at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, Gilbane Building Company, is also involved in sports facility projects, having previously managed the construction of Fiserv Forum, home of the Milwaukee Bucks.
- In addition to the construction of the new international terminal, the architecture firm Alliiance, responsible for the terminal's design, has also contributed to the design of several notable sports venues, including the new football stadium for the Green Bay Packers.
