Remodeled PDX expects crush of travelers though the holidays

Published 9:40 am Saturday, December 21, 2024

Portland International Airport is expecting more than 900,000 travelers through its remodeled Main Terminal by the end of the holiday season.

As first reported by KGW-TV, the Port of Portland, which operates PDX, expects a 12% increase in travelers from last year between Dec. 19 and Jan. 5. That’s after an 8% increase during Thanksgiving.

Port officials expect the three busiest days to be after Christmas, with Dec. 27 expected to be the most crowded with more than 56,000 travelers. Dec. 30 and 31 may experience just below that, with around 55,000 arriving and departing travelers each day.

The newest travelers will be dazzled by the results of a $2 billion remodeling project that nearly doubled the capacity of the terminal. The entire floor plan was opened up and realigned, with the former bank of ticket counters within the front doors giving way to a straight walk past the parallel new counters, all the way back to the new glass-windowed rear wall, which is 200 feet beyond the previous west end of the terminal.

“This beautiful space greets visitors the Oregon way, with sustainable materials, energy efficiency and resilient design. I am confident it will meet the needs of our growing region,” Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said at the Aug. 12 opening ceremony.

Most notable is the new, massive, 9-acre all-wood ceiling. It is completely sourced with 3.5-million board feet of wood harvested within 300 miles of the airport. The ceiling was assembled as 18 large panels outside the terminal, 14 of which were then moved inside, elevated on lifts, and secured in place on top of 34 steel columns, down from the 700 that supported the original ceiling and roof.

Among other things, the intricate, slatted design allows light from skylights in the roof to filter gently throughout the terminal. It also acts acoustically, absorbing sound and helping make the terminal as quiet as possible. And wood is much lighter and more flexible than steel, which allowed the ceiling to survive the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake predicted to eventually strike the region.

The ceiling was designed by ZGF, an internationally renowned architectural firm that has worked on projects at PDX — as it is officially known — since 1955. Partner Gene Sandoval said it serves multiple, complimentary functions, including showcasing Oregon’s forests and related industries.

“PDX is the front door of Oregon, and we wanted to create the best sustainable, memorable impression for visitors,” Sandoval told the Portland Tribune.

“Wood is a historical, natural resource here that is being used innovatively around the world,” Sandoval said.

Filling the additional space within the terminal are even more all-local stores and eateries than before, including the Loyal Legion central mezzanine restaurant that travelers also visit to get the largest possible pictures of the distracting new ceiling. Specially commissioned works of art are also located throughout the remodeled terminal to enhance the traveling experience.

The terminal remains under construction with Phase 2 renovations that will include the installation of the final ceiling panels. Portland officials also recommend travelers plan on getting there earlier, noting that 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. is the busiest time. The airport will have some concourse bypasses amid construction, meaning longer distances to concourses E and B. People should arrive two hours early for domestic flights and 2.5 hours early for international traveling, as well as contacting their airline for wheelchair assistance in advance, KGW-TV reported. Parking will also be in high demand.

This is also the last holiday season before REAL ID requirements go into effect in May 2025.