Ticket to a Better BGR
Ticket to a Better BGR
2024 introduces a new chapter at Bangor International Airport (BGR), where we’re making big changes for safer and smoother travel.
The Need for Change
Our primary runway has come to the end of its useful life, and it’s time for an upgrade. We’ve patched things up in the past, but now we need a permanent fix to keep everyone flying safely and efficiently.The Road to Renovation
In 2023, our first attempt to secure the future of our runway was met with unexpected challenges. With an estimated budget of $32 million for the project, we received a single bid that doubled our financial expectations, coming in at $64 million.
Adapting our strategy, we entered 2024 with a refined project scope that better aligned with the essential runway work.
Our diligence was reflected in an engineer’s estimate that evolved from $34.7 million to a pre-bid revision of $41.6 million. Yet, the sole bid we received, while closer to our expectations, was still above our estimates at $46.9 million.
Support All Around
The bid presented a new challenge, but also an opportunity to highlight the incredible support from our partners:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): Contributing $27.4 million.
- Maine Air National Guard (MEANG): Providing $16.4 million.
- Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) and Bangor International Airport: Each offering $1.5 million.
Despite the bid coming in $11 million over our initially budgeted Capital Improvement Plan, the increase to our local share was a manageable $400,000, raising it to $1.5 million. This local share is proudly funded by airport-generated revenue, a testament to our self-sustaining commitment and the support of our community and users.
What’s Next
This project is more than a runway renovation; it’s a promise to our community, passengers, and partners that BGR will continue to soar as a gateway to the world, grounded in safety, innovation, and resilience.
Although not impactful to aircraft schedules, passengers will soon see additional construction beginning post-security in the domestic terminal.
This $14.2 million renovation and reconstruction project is federally funded and designed to enhance the passenger experience while providing much-needed additional gate space at BGR by connecting the domestic and international terminals located post-security.
While procurement for this project has begun, passengers can expect to see construction beginning in April 2024 and lasting approximately 18 months.
The Bangor International Airport is set to expand its parking facilities to accommodate increasing passenger traffic. This development will add numerous new parking spaces, divided between short-term and long-term parking options. The expansion aims to enhance convenience for travelers and improve the overall efficiency of the airport’s operations.
Photo Gallery
Recent Updates
- Runway 15-33 Construction Begins
We are pleased to announce that construction on Runway 15-33 began promptly as scheduled Monday morning and the closure schedule will remain the same as previously announced with the runway closed: After the above dates, the runway length will be shortened, but no closures are anticipated that will impact the traveling public. This change will […] - A Savvy Heads-Up: BGR’s Enhancements Mean Smoother Travels Ahead
As the snow gives way to spring, Bangor International Airport (BGR) is not just celebrating the thaw—it’s gearing up for growth. This season marks the beginning of a transformative period for BGR, with two major renovation and infrastructure improvement projects set to elevate the travel experience. Runway 15-33 Gets a Revamp BGR’s primary runway is […]