HOK

By KERRY SMITH, EDITOR, ST. LOUIS CONSTRUCTION NEWS AND REVIEW MAGAZINE

Swansea-based Holland Construction Services is constructing Phase II of an ambitious expansion of MidAmerica St. Louis Airport that will nearly double its footprint to serve a large increase in travelers.

Airport figures reveal there is a 376 percent increase in MidAmerica travelers from 2015-2019. The airport’s projected volume for 2021 is more than 340,000 travelers.

Holland Senior Project Manager Steve Teipe said the $25 million construction project is adding 41,000 square feet to the 53,000-square-foot airport in Mascoutah, IL that opened in 1997. Phase I of the project took place from January to April 2020 and involved the relocation of electrical service for the terminal.

Phase II, which is currently under way, includes construction of the core and shell of the new addition including the roof, aluminum curtain wall framing, glazing, glass fiber concrete panels and the extension of the terminal’s exterior canopy.

Holland completed the formwork, waterproofing and reinforcing steel for the mat foundation slab in late June. The project team is currently putting in concrete basement foundations and forming the basement walls for the addition. Structural steel is projected to arrive in August.

Major facets of the expansion project include relocating Transportation Security Administration (TSA), adding two more gates and passenger jet bridges and building and renovating ADA-compliant restrooms. An expanded departure lounge, nursing room, additional concessions room and service animal relief area are also within the scope of the expansion.

Additional federal funding earmarked for MidAmerica St. Louis Airport will fund Phases III and IV. The project is anticipated to be completed in late 2023.

A total of $6.5 million in federal transportation grant monies were awarded in September 2020, followed by $12.6 million in May 2021 to support the project’s final phase.

HOK is the project designer.