Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport showed off its massive renovation project Wednesday.
It's a $242 million makeover for nearly all Terminal 1 concourses, the single largest interior renovation of passenger gate areas and concourses in Terminal One since it opened back in 1962.
"We touched pretty much every surface that the passengers see and feel, whether it's ceilings or floors or walls and more," says Bridget Rief with the Metropolitan Airports Commission.
And this renovation project wraps up, as the Concourse G expansion project continues.
"Travelers coming to MSP and Terminal 1 are now going to experience an entire new airport from our front door all the way to the aircraft," adds Rief.
The project got underway just a couple of years ago and updated a number of thing including the floors, lightning, and operations.
Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO Brian Ryks says simple things like new signage improves the overall travel experience.
"Individuals can see that as they're transitioning down the concourse," Ryks explains. "So it's just, you know, it relieves these types of things, helps not only provide a more efficient experience but it relieves stress for the travelers so that they can see the gate well out in front as they're transitioning down the concourse."
The project was financed via both the MAC and the largest airline operating out of MSP, Delta Air Lines.
MSP is the 19th busiest airport in North America and Delta’s second largest hub after Atlanta.
The second major project is the $80 million expansion phase of Concourse G, which also created space for a third Delta Sky Club at MSP.
Continuing the work on Concourse G includes doubling the seating capacity of gates G8 through G13, and the addition of two new sets of restrooms, a public sensory room, and additional space for concessions.
Improvements include:
• More accessible and durable Terrazzo flooring to replace the carpet in passenger corridors in concourses A, C, D and G, and new carpet in concourses B and F
• New wall finishes, including quarter-height granite in public corridors and tile in Delta gate hold rooms
• Brighter, more modern and sustainable LED lighting in concourse walkways and gate areas
• Metal panel ceiling system in the majority of concourse walkways
• New structural column covers
• Technology upgrades that include dynamic flight information screens along concourse walkways at every gate.
• Full refresh of 75 Delta gate hold rooms
• New gate seating with power outlets
• New carpeting in gate areas to mirror experience at other Delta hub airports
• Updated gate information display screens
• Refreshed Delta branding across all gate areas