North Platte, Neb. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on Thursday the award of a $7,041,832 grant to the North Platte Airport Authority to kickstart construction of a new passenger terminal building at the North Platte Regional Airport (LBF) in Nebraska.
The funds come via the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Terminal Program and is one of 118 grants awarded for FY2024 totaling $970 million. Of the 307 grants announced through the first three years of the program, LBF is one of just six airports to receive an award of $7 million or more with annual enplanements less than 20,000 passengers.
The Airport Authority expects an additional $16 - $17 million of federal funds to be allocated to the project via FAA-administered programs. The remainder of the estimated $25 - $30 million project will be financed via the Airport Authority’s Capital Projects Fund.
“This announcement is the news we’ve been waiting for to accelerate this project and maximize the federal contribution,” Airport Manager Justin Gosnell said. “It’s the culmination of several years of planning, design, and advocacy for the project, and the airport is now poised to make the project a reality.”
The North Platte Regional Airport serves a vital role in rural Nebraska's economy as the only primary airport within its 14,000 square mile, 15 county service area. It supports recent, local economic development successes including ongoing construction of a 500,000 square foot beef processing facility near the airport bringing an estimated 875 jobs to North Platte, and a proposed 300-acre rail park in nearby Hershey, NE. The project is intended to become a source of pride for the North Platte community, creating a modern landmark in western Nebraska.
The existing terminal was constructed in 1952 and is unable to provide an acceptable level of service for current and forecasted demand. The facility was designed for pre-9/11 traveler behavior with "50 seats for 50 passengers" in the secure hold room with little space for luggage and amenities. The addition of jet bridge boarding, modern restrooms, natural light, and food and beverage service pre- and post-security will meet today's airport user expectations.
The security checkpoint and baggage screening room in the existing terminal building are constrained and unable to accommodate preferred Transportation Security Administration (TSA) equipment. “A new facility is needed to keep up with airport safety and security standards, and to keep airline service viable in North Platte,” Gosnell described.
The airport is pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the new terminal, which will feature modern, energy efficient building systems and a mass timber structure leading to reduced embodied carbon compared to steel construction. The scope of the project includes capturing, storing, and re-using stormwater runoff to satisfy non-potable water demand, photovoltaic skylight glass to provide renewable energy for building systems, and a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) geothermal heating and cooling system to reduce energy demand. In addition, the terminal parking lot will feature multi-modal space for local public transit service, rideshare, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Finally, the existing terminal building has several accessibility shortcomings that will be addressed with the new facility. The new terminal will exceed minimum Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and feature a boarding bridge, code compliant restrooms, a mother’s room, and accommodations for service animals to provide equitable access for all travelers.
Additional information about the project may be found at https://www.northplatteairport.com/new-places.