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Passengers streamed into Portland International Airport鈥檚 reimagined main terminal on Wednesday following a $2.1 billion project, and some were surprised by the timber-centric design highlighted by a 9-acre mass-timber ceiling.

University of Portland women鈥檚 soccer team members exclaimed 鈥淥MG!鈥� and 鈥淭hat鈥檚 so pretty鈥� as they arrived for a flight to California. Departing passengers took photos in front of the indoor trees. And a volunteer pianist played soul standards near newly opened concessions.

All in all, it was just another day at the airport.

鈥淲e鈥檙e already at normal operation,鈥� Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold said.

To open, the main terminal building needed four aspects in working order: bathrooms, ticket counters, baggage handling facilities, and security, Robinhold said. All were ready to go by Wednesday.

The building allows the airport to nearly double capacity to 35 million passengers per year while providing seismic resiliency. Biophilic design principles were used to bring nature indoors with the vast wooden ceiling and floors, tree plantations and large screens showing nature scenes. Many materials were regionally sourced.

Visitors were impressed.

鈥淭his is beautiful,鈥� said Los Angeles resident Rachel Stella, who was departing after visiting family members in Portland. 鈥淚 like the openness of it.鈥�

Wednesday capped more than three years of phase 1 construction. A Hoffman-Skanska joint venture guided construction of the design led by ZGF Architects. More than 5.4 million craftsperson hours went into the project without a serious incident, Robinhold said.

Economic development officials view the new terminal as an asset. The building 鈥減rovides an excellent introduction to Oregon, creating a positive first impression for the world鈥檚 businesses,鈥� Greater Portland Inc. President and CEO Monique Claiborne stated in a news release.

The project team bounced back from a three-day safety pause in February after a series of close calls. That turned out to be the right decision, Robinhold said.

鈥淭he delay was appropriate, maybe a little cautious, but incredibly successful,鈥� he said.

Airport officials are now turning their attention to phase 2 鈥� a more modest undertaking that involves renovating the terminal鈥檚 north and south ends to provide new shops and restaurants, private restrooms, arrival space and exits to baggage claim.

The port last week went to the bond market to finance the $598 million second phase, and was advised by Bank of America and Goldman Sachs.

鈥淲e got into the market just before the volatility last week,鈥� Robinhold said. 鈥淚t felt like a good time to be borrowing.鈥�

The 30-year bonds will be repaid with revenues from airlines that fly into the airport.

Numerous construction workers remained on site Wednesday to carry out the work. Electricians were busy disconnecting old infrastructure.

Wednesday saw the openings of several new concessionaires, including local watering hole Loyal Legion, Orox Leather Co., Country Cat and Missionary Chocolates. Airport officials have prioritized bringing in local businesses.

The main terminal is built to withstand a sizable earthquake, with base isolators that allow the ceiling to move 24 inches in any direction. The building is also intended to be flexible, with large, Y-shaped support columns and exits to baggage claim the only elements that can鈥檛 be moved.

鈥淲e鈥檙e ready for the future,鈥� Robinhold said.