The new Pittsburgh International Airport terminal will officially open on Tuesday, November 18.
The new airport has been undergoing final touches over the past few months with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and two test runs.
This comes after 10 years of planning and four years of construction.
The cost of the new airport is around $1.7 billion and is being paid for, mainly by long-term bonds.
Local tax dollars were not used in the construction of the airport.
The second “dress rehearsal” took place at the end of October with 2,500 volunteers acting as passengers, checking in at ticket counters, dropping off luggage, going through security, and even picking up their bags in the new baggage claim area.
The new terminal includes a larger checkpoint area, expanding from seven to twelve security lines, all in one central location with new technology meant to move travelers through faster.
“This is a new day for our region. This is an airport built for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh. It improves the passenger experience and ensures this region remains on a global stage,” Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis said. “This terminal is industry-leading from its architecture that reflects our region to amenities like outdoor terraces and a state-of-the-art baggage system to a streamlined security checkpoint.
The Airport says security will move faster, there will be faster baggage delivery, easier arrivals for international travelers, more parking options, new shopping and dining, and outdoor area for passengers already past security and more.