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.

Runway Project

While we are working hard to minimize the impact on passengers and airport tenants, to complete the necessary work, there will be times when the runway is closed to air traffic. This timing will occur in two phases:

    1. Possible overnight closures during off-peak hours from April 1-April 26. Passenger traffic should not be impacted.

    1. Full runway closure 8 a.m. Monday-3 p.m. Wednesday over a 3-week period from May 6-May 22. During this time period there will be no air service available at BGR.

After the above, the runway length will be shortened, but no closures are anticipated.

Terminal Connector Project

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.