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Crews working on the $215 million terminal balancing project at Portland International Airport reached an important milestone Thursday when ironworkers topped out the 830-foot-long expansion of Concourse E.

The ceremony took place in the mud in the middle of the site of the most prominent in a series of Port of Portland construction projects that will revamp and modernize the airport. Dubbed PDX Next, the program will include construction of larger security checkpoints, refurbishment of ticketing and baggage drop spaces, and the addition of rental car space. Also, concourses A and B will be remodeled. Work is expected to continue through at least 2024.

鈥淥verall we’ve got until June of 2020, and the (terminal balancing) project will turn over,鈥� said Ryan Richards, a senior project manager with Skanska USA Building, which is serving as general contractor for the project. 鈥淲hat we’re doing here is actually swapping airlines; Southwest Airlines is moving from C Terminal over to E 鈥� This is the extension of E. So what that will do is balance the airport so you’re not waiting in line so long; it will shorten the lines and service the passengers coming in quite nicely.鈥�

More than 1,400 tons of steel and 6,000 cubic yards of concrete have been used so far, Richards said. Winter weather has at times dictated the work schedule.

鈥淓very day was sunny,鈥� Richards said with a laugh. 鈥淣o, it’s been a challenge. We’re at the end of the (Columbia River) Gorge here and the winds just fly through here. So on a day when you have above 30 (mph) gusts, you’re shut down; the cranes are shut down. We’ve had 20 of those days, but we were still able to get (steel erection) done in three months, which is really impressive. It’s a really good job.鈥�

Designed by Portland’s Hennebery Eddy Architects and Denver-based Fentress Architects, the terminal balancing project calls for the addition of six domestic passenger gates that will serve Southwest Airlines. The new terminal will be taller than the existing section and have more windows to take advantage of natural light. Three types of glazing with different opacity will be used.

In addition, the structure’s south side will feature windows with a curtain wall 鈥� an approach that will help maximize natural light while minimizing heat gain inside. The design strategy is geared to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design gold rating.

鈥淭here are going to be six new gates, and (passengers) are going to find some really neat things on the concourse when it’s all finished,鈥� Port of Portland spokeswoman Kama Simonds said. 鈥淭here will be more comfortable seating, more places to charge cellphones and laptops 鈥� all the things we hear travelers saying 鈥榳e need more of that.’ There will be new shops and restaurants, so the airport that you know and love will be getting even better.鈥�