PASCO, Wash. – Tri-Cities Airport is set to receive a significant upgrade with the help of more than $7 million in grant money. The funding is part of a larger $60 million airport infrastructure grant awarded across Washington state. The grant will be used to expand the baggage make-up area at the airport.
Airport Director Buck Taft explained that the expansion aims to streamline the process of getting luggage onto planes, making it easier and safer for staff. “We’re adapting and trying to ensure that our building is suitable for the aircraft we have and able to give our passengers a great, quality experience,” Taft said.
The project involves tripling the size of the current baggage make-up area. Taft emphasized that these changes will improve the daily operations for employees. “What it’s going to do is just make it more safe, safer, more efficient, and just easier for them to operate in,” he added.
Importantly, the ongoing construction is not expected to impact passenger travels. Taft noted that the expansion is crucial for meeting the needs of the rapidly growing Tri-Cities area. “So we are having exceptional growth right now and we are trying to keep up with the growth,” he stated. “And it’s just it’s it’s hard to plan for the growth that we’re having because it’s not within a normal range of growth that you plan for.”
Negotiations with contractors are underway, and a firm timeline for the project is expected soon.
