Ground broken for expanded Clinton Airport canopy

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by Steve Brawner ([email protected]) ago 0 views 

Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport officials and Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott broke ground Wednesday (Dec. 18) on a $5.24 million project that will expand the airport’s curbside canopy.

Planned to be completed in the fall, the glass and steel canopy will offer relief from weather conditions at the passenger drop-off area outside the ticket lobby.

“As many of you know, the Clinton National Airport is more than just a transportation hub. It’s a vital gateway to Arkansas and our capital city,” said Bill Walker, chairman of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission during the groundbreaking ceremony.

The project will include lighting, communication devices, signage, safety bollards, drainage and pavement improvements. A Clinton National Airport news release said the canopy “will make for a smoother transition from landside to airside by incorporating improved security, lighting, wayfinding, landscaping, and wheelchair accessibility.”

Work will begin after the new year begins. The airport will use increased signage and staff to support traffic changes during construction. Drop-off traffic will be accommodated on the outer curb, while arrivals will use the inner curb.

The $5,244,193 project is being paid for through federal and local funds. A total of $4 million will be funded through a Congressional appropriation, $719,773 will come from airport infrastructure grant funds under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in 2022, and $524,420 will be paid by the airport.

Scott and airport officials thanked Sen. John Boozman in particular as well as other members of the Arkansas congressional delegation for helping secure the Congressional funding. None of Arkansas’ Congressional delegation voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The airport serves more than 2 million passengers annually.

Baldwin and Shell is doing the construction. The architectural design was done by Architectural Alliance out of Minneapolis. Garver, a subcontractor of Architectural Alliance, did the civil site, electrical engineering and plumbing design.