January 2022
Walsh Construction celebrates opening of second pedestrian skybridge at new LaGuardia Terminal B
NEW YORK, NY – Walsh Construction, along with joint venture partner Skanska USA, joined New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and LaGuardia Gateway Partners to celebrate the unveiling of the new western skybridge at LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B. The 482-foot-long pedestrian bridge stands 60 feet above ground and connects the terminal's Western Concourse to the Arrivals & Departures Hall.
Completion of the skybridge is the terminal redevelopment’s last major building milestone and makes LaGuardia Airport the world's only airport with two pedestrian bridges. The Eastern Concourse Pedestrian Bridge opened in June 2021 and is approximately 420 feet long and elevated 65 feet above the ground.
(Photo credit: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)
The dual skybridge concept was a critical component for maintaining airport functionality during construction and ultimate terminal modernization. The bridges were built overtop the original terminal building and allowed the old terminal to remain operational during construction. Once complete, the innovative skybridges span active taxi lanes and creates an extra two miles of taxiway space to the busy airport.
"Walsh Construction is proud to celebrate the latest milestone at Terminal B and the completion of the Western Concourse," said Michael Whelan, president of Walsh Construction's building division. "This new and innovative skybridge will offer direct access for passengers utilizing the fully-opened western concourse and create significant taxiway space for aircraft operations.”
Last month, the second phase of the Western Concourse opened with four new gates. The interior of the 218,000-square-foot Western Concourse is now fully open, and the new Terminal B is now more than 90 percent complete. With modern amenities, innovative design and family-friendly spaces, the new concourse showcases the vision to build a 21st century terminal that is a leader in guest experience, innovation and sustainability.
(Pictured: Terminal B Western Concourse)
The Terminal B redevelopment is anticipated to reach substantial completion later this year, on time and on budget.
Walsh Construction and Skanska USA are operating as the design-build joint venture of Skanska-Walsh, responsible for design and construction of LaGuardia Terminal B, in partnership with HOK and WSP, and brought on by LaGuardia Gateway Partners, the private developer and operator of Terminal B.