Airport News
Akron-Canton Airport Hosts Beam Raising Ceremony
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2005
AKRON-CANTON AIRPORT HOSTS BEAM RAISING CEREMONY
Green, OH: Now four years into the STAR (soaring with terminal, access and runway improvements) capital improvement program, the airport today placed the final steel beam on the new south gate concourse. In what is also known as a topping out ceremony, the beam raising ushers in the final phase of construction on the new building. A tree and American flag are raised upon the beam, a custom carried out by ironworkers first in Europe and then later in the United States, signifying deep respect for land and country.
"It is really great to see this concourse taking shape," said airport director Fred Krum. "It is the cornerstone of our capital improvement campaign and positions us to serve Northeast Ohio now and in the future."
The south gate concourse is scheduled to open early summer 2006. The north gates are partially open now, adding more passenger seating and restrooms. The total gate replacement will cost $24 million and funding sources include the airport improvement fund (AIP), passenger facility charge (PFC) and airport operating revenue. The concourse was designed by noted aviation consultancy HNTB, Arlington, VA with local partner GPD, Akron; and the construction is being managed by Turner Construction, Cleveland and G. Stephens, Incorporated of Akron.
In addition to the gate replacement, phase three of STAR also includes an expanded Transportation Security Administration (TSA) gate screening area that opened earlier this summer; new ticket counters for Frontier and Northwest Airlink; renovated and expanded restrooms; and terrazzo flooring in the main airport corridor. Collectively, these projects represent the third and final phase of the $60 million, five-year STAR program. Earlier STAR projects included a runway 1/19 extension, a new food court, an expanded baggage claim wing, improved entrances, more parking lots and free wireless Internet access.
More about construction projects and the airport
In addition to the STAR projects, the airport is also building a new $10 million glycol (deicing) facility; is correcting the runway safety area (RSA) to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations and extending runway 5/23 from 7,600 to 8,200 feet at an estimated cost of $55 million; and with the help of the Ohio Department of Transportation, is adding a traffic light and improving signage at the airport entrance.
Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) was the second fastest growing airport in the nation from 2001-2004, with a 100 percent increase in capacity over that time. CAK offers the lowest average fare in Ohio attracting passengers from Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown and western Pennsylvania. In 2005, Frontier Airlines commenced low-fare, nonstop flights to Denver aboard A319 jets with satellite TV in every seatback and AirTran Airways added nonstop flights to Ft. Lauderdale and Las Vegas. Additionally, AirTran Airways announced new nonstop flights to Ft. Myers beginning January 4, 2006.
In addition to AirTran Airways and Frontier Airlines, Delta Connection carriers, Northwest Airlink, United Express, and US Airways Express serve the growing Akron-Canton market. Additional airport information is available at www.akroncantonairport.com. Akron-Canton Airport, a better way to go.
Contacts:
Frederick J. Krum
Airport Director Director
Kristie Van Auken
Marketing/ Comm.
kvanauken@akroncantonairport.com
Akron- 330-896-2376
Canton- 330-499-4059
