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A New Vision: Pittsburgh International Airport Unveils New Designs

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh International Airport released renderings of the new design on Wednesday.

It features a rolling roof, more natural light and a streamlined design.

WEB EXTRA: New Pittsburgh International Airport Concept Design --

 

Airport officials and architects unveiled the conceptual design for Pittsburgh's new 21st century airport to be completed by 2023.

Internationally renowned architect Luis Vidal envisions an airport unique to Pittsburgh.

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Photo Credit: Allegheny County Airport Authority

"It actually reflects what Pittsburgh is about."

"Pittsburgh has been transformed radically from the past," Vidal told KDKA money editor Jon Delano on Wednesday.

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Design of new baggage claim area inside Pittsburgh International Airport. Photo provided: Allegheny County Airport Authority

Vidal wants this airport to be a gateway to the region -- just like the Fort Pitt Tunnels are -- an airport with high ceilings, a rolling roof, plenty of sunlight and greenery inside.

"The rolling roof is again reflecting the region, the rolling mountains when you come into Pittsburgh, the rolling bridges as you drive out of the Fort Pitt Tunnel, the rolling technology, the rolling community," said Vidal.

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Photo concept of new plaza area at Pittsburgh International Airport. Photo provided: Allegheny County Airport Authority

"At the same time, it's providing us the opportunity to open windows and flood the terminal with natural light."

Vidal, working with architectural firms Gensler and HDR, will site the new terminal between the C and D Concourses so that Pittsburgh passengers can enter the Air Mall after going through security.

No more long walks or trains from landside to airside.

"People will really have an opportunity to experience the airport like they did in the old days," notes Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Airport Authority.

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New terminal concept at Pittsburgh International Airport. Photo provided: Allegheny County Airport Authority

"You can come out. You can watch planes take off. There are observation decks and outside plazas, a lot of nature is incorporated into the design. The technology will be very forward."

The local passenger experience, Cassotis, will be quite different from today.

"We expect that you will feel like you are in the future, and it will adapt well as future technology comes on line."

And who will pay for this $1.1 billion project?

"The local taxpayer will have no impact at all," insists Allegheny County executive Rich Fitzgerald.

"It's going to be paid for by the airlines."

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