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Bangor International Airport (BGR) is taxiing to the start of two major infrastructure improvement projects, expected to cost a total of more than $59 million.

Runway 15-33 is scheduled to be completely rehabilitated and repaved beginning April 1 and continuing over the next two construction seasons at a cost of $45 million, airport officials said March 12.

Another $14.2 million will go to connect the domestic and international terminals at the facility.

The announcement was made one day after the Bangor City Council awarded the runway resurfacing contract to Northeast Paving, a Bangor-based division of Eurovia Atlantic Coast LLC.

The airport is operated as an enterprise fund within the city of Bangor; therefore, it is self-sustaining and no local taxpayer dollars are contributed to the airport, BGA noted in a news release.

Mainebiz reported the makeover of the entire 11,440-ft.-long runway is needed because it has reached the end of its useful life.

Typically, runways are resurfaced and upgraded every 15 to 20 years. This project, part of the Bangor airport's comprehensive plan, includes milling and overlaying the surface as well as making some necessary equipment upgrades that support it.

As a result, the runway will be closed overnight throughout the month of April. In addition, from April 29 to May 24, the surface will be fully shutdown from 8 a.m. on Mondays to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, and there will be no air service at BGR during those hours.

Mainebiz also noted that from May 29 through Aug. 30, the landing /takeoff surface's length will be shortened, but no closures are anticipated.

The runway resurfacing project will be funded with $27.4 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), just over $1.5 million each from the Maine Department of Transportation and the airport itself, and $15.9 million from the Maine Air National Guard.

Terminal Construction to Expand Gate Space

Elsewhere at Bangor International, contractors will be working to connect the airport's two terminals and make other changes to improve amenities and add gate space. That construction, which is federally funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law, also will get under way in April, and should take about 18 months.

The goal of this portion of the airport improvement effort is to enhance the passenger experience while providing much-needed additional gate space at BGR by connecting the domestic and international terminals located post-security.

Passenger traffic at the airport has increased significantly — more than 30 percent in the last five years, which has driven the demand for more space and amenities at BGR, according to airport officials.

"We realize that there is never a convenient time for runway closures or construction projects to take place, but our goal is to minimize the impact to passengers and tenants while making a significant investment in the airport's future," said Jose Saavedra, the airport's director. "These projects are not funded by taxpayer dollars but will certainly benefit all who come to BGR."

Located on America's northeastern seaboard, Bangor International Airport is the closest U.S. port-of-entry from Europe and provides a wide range of commercial and general aviation services. It also is a leader in transatlantic tech stops as well as a strategically important location for the U.S. military.

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