Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley International Airport Terminal Connector

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the bipartisan infrastructure law, provided the Lehigh Valley International Airport with $5 million to complete the terminal connector project that was already underway as well as create a more efficient system for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security screening. The new and improved security checkpoint will have four lanes to accommodate larger crowds and to ease the experience of the general public.

Historical context

• “Before the infrastructure law was enacted, federal funds usually went for such projects as runways and traffic-control towers, not for improving terminals, transportation officials said.” – Lehigh Valley Live, July 7, 2022
• “Lehigh Valley International Airport is the fourth largest airport in Pennsylvania, offering flights through Allegiant, American, Delta and United Airlines. The airport has been around since 1929— the very first hangar is still standing on the property— and offering commercial flight services since 1935.” – Pocono Record, July 12, 2022

Project summary

• Bipartisan infrastructure law funding will help improve the TSA screening checkpoint:
  • The bipartisan infrastructure law awarded $5 million to Lehigh Valley International Airport to build a more efficient and secure security checkpoint with four lanes. – Lehigh Valley Live, July 7, 2022
  • “The project includes a new four-lane Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening checkpoint to address capacity limitations and insufficient space to accommodate existing passenger volume and the necessary security screening equipment.” – Office of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), July 7, 2022
  • “The security checkpoint, now in the tunnel, will be moved to the ticketing level and the number of security lanes, using the latest TSA technology, will be increased from two up to four.” – Pennsylvania Capital-Star, August 2, 2022
• The funding will also help complete an ongoing project to connect terminals:
  • “This funding will be used to help complete Lehigh Valley International Airport’s ongoing project to complete a terminal connector. … On top of this [bipartisan infrastructure law] funding, Lehigh Valley International Airport has received over $11,500,000 in federal investments since the start of 2021.” – Office of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), July 7, 2022
  • “The $29 million construction project that will include a connector bridge between the main terminal and departure building that will improve passenger flow and safety.” – Pennsylvania Capital-Star, August 2, 2022
• The Airport Terminal Program is “one of three aviation programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.” – Office of U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), July 8, 2022
  • The LVIA is “one of 85 facilities sharing $1 billion, the first tranche of a five-year, $5 billion grant program created under the new law. The money will go to improve airport terminals around the country, including increasing capacity, improving energy efficiency and making them more accessible to people with disabilities.” – Lehigh Valley Live, July 7, 2022

Outcomes, improvements, and practical impact

• The project is “designed to reduce backups because the existing facility does not have enough space to accommodate both the passengers and the equipment.” – Lehigh Valley Live, July 7, 2022
• “The project will allow LVIA to separate departing travelers from arriving travelers using the new connector and a 1974 tunnel built that currently handles traffic. The airport saw 92,652 passengers in June.” – Pennsylvania Capital-Star, August 2, 2022

Climate impact

• The new terminal connector is energy-efficient. – Pocono Record, July 12, 2022
• The project is pursuing LEED gold certification and will have a total energy cost saving of 27.3 percent compared with similar buildings:
  • “Installation of Electrochromic Insulated Glass Unit provided by Halio. These are smart-tinting glass windows that appear as ordinary clear glass until it tints uniformly to block excessive solar heat and reduce glare.” – Lehigh Valley International Airport, last accessed November 2023
  • “A whole building energy simulation has been completed determined a total energy cost saving of 27.3% compared to similar buildings.” – Lehigh Valley International Airport, last accessed November 2023
  • “As part of the overall scope, the Airport also renovated its Short-Term and Long-Term Parking Lots which included 10 charging stations for electric vehicles, located near the building entrance to promote the importance of reducing harmful emissions.” – Lehigh Valley International Airport, last accessed November 2023 

Economic impact

• “The Lehigh Valley International Airport is a critical piece of infrastructure and an economic driver for our district: providing jobs, bringing visitors, and connecting us with the world … [and will] have a direct impact on the local economy.” – Office of U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, July 8, 2022

Official supporting statements

• U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg: “Airports are the gateway to America’s communities. They’re often the first thing you see when you arrive in a new place and the last thing you see when you leave.” – Lehigh Valley Live, July 7, 2022
  • “Americans deserve modern airports that meet the needs of their families and growing passenger demand. Funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, today’s grants will improve airport terminals while also creating good jobs in communities across the country.” – Pocono Record, July 12, 2022
• Then-Federal Aviation Administration Deputy Administrator A. Bradley Mims: “The work that goes in to build safer, more accessible and sustainable terminals will provide opportunities for people across the nation. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a critical investment not only in our nation’s infrastructure, but an investment in the future of our country’s workforce.” – The White House, July 7, 2022
• U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA): “The Lehigh Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in Pennsylvania and we need to ensure the region’s infrastructure is able to keep up. When I visited the Lehigh Valley International Airport this past March, I got to see the progress the airport is making on the terminal connector and the new TSA check point for incoming passengers. Today, I’m proud to announce that the airport will receive $5 million in new funding from the infrastructure law to help complete this project.” – Office of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, July 7, 2022
• U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA): “The Lehigh Valley International Airport is a critical piece of infrastructure and an economic driver for our district: providing jobs, bringing visitors, and connecting us with the world. … I fought for funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make investments in local airports like ABE that will have a direct impact on the local economy.” – Office of U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, July 8, 2022
• Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority Executive Director Thomas R. Stoudt: “The TSA Checkpoint / Terminal Connector project at ABE certainly achieves all of the goals set forth by the ATP [Airport Terminal Program] program. … Replacing aging infrastructure and increasing passenger capacity remains critical for us to meet current and projected air travel demand in the Lehigh Valley region. The new checkpoint elevates the customer experience through a more expedient passenger screening process, while the new energy-efficient terminal connector improves passenger access and while delivering a more streamlined route from ticket counter to takeoff. We appreciate the strong support of our delegation in Washington, D.C. in helping to secure this necessary federal funding.” – Office of U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, July 8, 2022 

Selected clips

• “Biden infrastructure bill sends $5M to Lehigh Valley airport” – Lehigh Valley Live, July 7, 2022
• “Wild announces $5 million grant for LV International Airport” – Pocono Record, July 12, 2022
• “Buttigieg gets up-close look at infrastructure bill projects in Lehigh Valley” – Pennsylvania Capital-Star, August 2, 2022