Quad Cities International Airport Wins $3.3 Million Federal Grant for Terminal Overhaul
The Quad Cities International Airport received a $3.3 million FAA grant for Phase 2 of Project Gateway, a $19 million terminal renovation that includes new seating, restrooms, dining options, and terrazzo flooring.
Federal dollars arrive as construction crews break ground
The Quad Cities International Airport received a $3.3 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday. The money comes as construction crews are already on site for the largest terminal renovation project in the airport's history.
The FAA's Airport Terminal Program awarded the grant to fund Phase 2 of Project Gateway, a multi-year modernization effort that cost more than $19 million in total.
"This investment represents a tremendous win not only for the airport, but for the entire Quad Cities region," said Benjamin Leischner, executive director of the Quad Cities International Airport. "We are incredibly grateful to our federal delegation and elected officials for their continued advocacy and support in helping secure federal funding for this transformational project."
What the renovation includes
Phase 2 began earlier this spring and is expected to take 18 months to complete, according to airport officials. The upgrades touch nearly every space a traveler uses from the front entrance to the security checkpoint.
The project includes:
- A new lounge and expanded seating area
- Expanded ADA-compliant restrooms
- Nursing-mother suites
- Companion-care restrooms
- A new water feature in the terminal
- Additional restrooms in the baggage claim area
- A reorganized gift shop
- New grab-and-go restaurant options
- An outdoor lounge space
- New terrazzo flooring in the ticketing and circulation areas
Davenport-based Estes Construction is leading the build. Wisconsin-based Mead & Hunt is handling the architectural design.
A terminal built before TSA
The existing airport terminal was constructed more than 40 years ago. That predates TSA security requirements and the widespread use of rolling luggage, airport officials said. The renovation aims to bring the facility into the modern travel era.
Phase 1 of Project Gateway completed a little over a year ago. That phase added a new 14,600-square-foot building to the backside of the terminal. It houses new TSA screening equipment and an upgraded conveyor belt system.
Construction with minimal disruption
Travelers will see the work happening around them. Airport officials said crews will build tunnels to keep the terminal open while they replace the floor and update ceiling infrastructure.
"People will notice the walls certainly, so they will see it happening," said Ashleigh Johnston, public relations and marketing manager at QCIA. "We'll construct tunnels as we work around and get that floor replaced. They're also opening up the ceiling and replacing some of the infrastructure that you don't see. They will notice that, but it shouldn't create any delay or impact really to the amount of time that they need at the airport. We're able to stay fully operational throughout."
The project operates under an IMPACT construction agreement, meaning it prioritizes union workers and contractors, officials said.
The Quad Cities International Airport serves Moline, Illinois, and the surrounding region on both sides of the Mississippi River. For more information on Project Gateway, airport officials directed the public to the QCIA website.