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North Terminal reaches for the top

Date Posted: April 27 2007

ROMULUS - The last major structural steel beam was lifted into place April 18, signifying the topping out of the $426 million Metro Airport North Terminal Redevelopment Project.

Iron Workers from Local 25 and Midwest Steel put the beam into place. The new 26-gate terminal will open in 2008, replacing the aging L.C. Smith and Berry Terminals.

"The Wayne County Airport Authority could not be more pleased to celebrate this important milestone in the redevelopment of the North Terminal-and in reality, a milestone in the redevelopment of our region," said Authority Chairman Michael Glusac. "The Smith and Berry Terminals have served our region well throughout the past 50 years. It is now time for a brand-new facility that meets the needs and standards for
efficiency and convenience set by today's airlines and travelers."

The joint venture of Walbridge-Aldinger and Barton Malow is leading the construction process.

When it opens in 2008, the new 26-gate terminal will be Detroit's home to Air Canada, American, AirTran, British Airways, Frontier, Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian, Southwest, Spirit, United, US Airways, and USA 3000. Northwest Airlines and partners Northwest Airlink, Air France, Continental and Delta will remain in the McNamara Terminal, which opened in 2002.

"Today we recognize not only the significance of this new terminal for Southeast
Michigan, but also the skilled tradesmen whose hard work continues to make this new
facility a reality," said Authority CEO Lester W. Robinson.

The North Terminal Redevelopment Project will create about 3,200 construction jobs during the project. Upon completion of the new facility, the existing Smith and Berry terminals will be decommissioned-making DTW one of the newest, most operationally capable and efficient airports in North America, the authority said.

IRON WORKERS STAND behind the final major structural beam to be put into place at the 26-gate Metro Airport North Terminal. Midwest Steel is handling the steel erection on the project, which is being led overall by the joint venture of Walbridge-Aldinger and Barton Malow.
Photo by Anne-Marie Poltorak/Barton-Malow