WINDSOR LOCKS – Big changes are in the works at Bradley International Airport that will convenience for travelers and prepare for future growth.
Airport officials released plans detailing the first phases of construction for a brand new $225 million transportation center.
The new facilities will include multiple parking garages containing about 900 new short and long term vehicle spaces, according to Connecticut Airport Authority CEO Kevin Dillon.
As far as the cost, Dillon said it comes out of airport funds.
“Bradley Airport is self-sustaining; we fund all of our operations here through user fees,” he said. “The transportation center is going to be funded primarily by customer facility charges, when folks rent a car here at Bradley they pay a customer facility charge, all of that money is being collected to move forward with this project.”
More spaces means less shuttles back and forth to economy parking.
“It’s all about convenience and service for me so definitely I’d rather be closer than far,” New Haven traveler Edgar Santaella said. “This is the closest airport for me so why not have things that are gonna be a little more easier to handle and to maneuver.”
The transportation center will also house all of the rental car operations that are currently scattered around the airport. Plans also include pedestrian access to and from the terminals.
Dillion said these new changes are about maintaining convenience at Bradley for travelers.
Construction will begin in spring 2017 with improvements to the connector roadways that lead to and from I-91. This has a scheduled completion date of fall 2018.
Work on the transportation center will begin shortly after, to be completed early 2021.
The transportation center is part of a larger expansion effort that will one day also include a brand new terminal.
“We’re also gonna add what we’re calling a transit center, we’re very interested in bringing rail service up to Windsor Locks,” Dillon said.
Dillon believes accommodating for future growth at Bradley, bringing in new international airlines like Aer Lingus, means more customers for area businesses which will help boost the local economy.
