Boston’s Logan International Airport is gearing up for change with a $450 million project to improve Terminal E. 

Skanska, a global construction and development company based in Sweden, has been awarded the contract by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) to carry out the improvements. 

The announcement, made on December 13, marks a major milestone in Logan Airport’s ongoing efforts to improve its infrastructure and services.

At the heart of the project is the construction of a massive 725,000-square-foot parking garage. Designed to provide 5,000 parking spaces, the new facility will be located directly in front of Terminal E, replacing an existing surface parking lot. 

This addition plans to take away parking challenges and improve convenience for travelers. However, the construction will require the demolition of a portion of the departures level viaduct to make way for the new structure, according to a Skanska spokesperson.

The project doesn’t stop with the parking garage. Skanska will also build a vehicular bridge to link the new garage to Logan’s central parking complex. Additionally, a pedestrian bridge will connect the new garage to Terminals E and C, allowing access for travelers moving between these areas. To accommodate the increased flow of traffic and new infrastructure, Skanska will modify the arrival and departure roadways leading to the garage, streamlining access and improving traffic flow.

A notable feature of the project is its focus on sustainability. The new garage will incorporate photovoltaic (PV) panels on its façade and roof. These panels will help offset the facility’s electricity consumption, going hand-in-hand with Massport’s commitment to sustainable development. The project will pursue Parksmart certification, a sustainability standard for parking structures issued by the Green Building Certification Institute. 

Construction for the Terminal E improvements is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025, with an anticipated completion date in 2028. The complexity of the project involves not only constructing the new facilities but also causing minimal disruption to the airport’s day-to-day operations. Logan Airport has been a critical hub for domestic and international travel, making it essential that construction activities are carefully planned and executed.

The planned upgrades are part of a broader effort to modernize Logan Airport and meet the growing demands of air travel. Terminal E, which primarily handles international flights, has seen a steady increase in passenger traffic in recent years. 

By investing in improved parking and better access routes, Massport will improve the overall traveler experience, reduce congestion, and support Logan’s role as a key gateway to the United States.

With 5,000 spaces available, the new parking garage will offer travelers greater convenience and reduce the time spent searching for parking. The addition of a pedestrian bridge connecting Terminals E and C will further ease movement within the airport, making it smoother for passengers to get between terminals without stepping outdoors.

Large-scale infrastructure projects like this one always come with challenges. The demolition of the departures level viaduct is a complex task that requires careful planning to ensure safety and cause the least amount of disruption to airport operations. Not to mention, modifying the arrival and departure roadways will require coordination with traffic management to maintain smooth operations during construction.

The sustainability goals add another layer of complexity. Incorporating PV panels and meeting the standards for Parksmart certification will require innovative design and construction techniques. 

But with Skanska at the helm, the construction is poised to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that aligns with the needs of a modern, eco-conscious world. As the project progresses, Logan Airport continues to solidify its status as a premier travel hub in the United States.