A Modernized Airport Takes Off in Pittsburgh
HDR’s Bill Peduzzi Talks to ENR and Airport Improvement About the Terminal Modernization Program at Pittsburgh International Airport
As the Pittsburgh International Airport celebrates the completion of its terminal modernization program, the $1.7 billion effort has garnered attention across the aviation industry. The project’s passenger-first philosophy and place-making strategy, combined with modern technology, has captured the imagination of other airports and the wider infrastructure industry.
HDR joined Gensler, in association with luis vidal + architects, to form the architectural and engineering design team for the project, and our team led the surface access, site, airfield and infrastructure design. That included site investigations, airside modifications, utility relocations, a new roadway network of 27 lane-miles and a three-level terminal front bridge that is now among the longest in Pittsburgh.
Aviation Director Bill Peduzzi, who helped lead HDR’s team on the project, shared insights on the work and discussed some of the impetus for the team’s design decisions in recent interviews with Engineering News-Record and Airport Improvement magazine.
“This airport reflects the new Pittsburgh in so many ways,” Peduzzi told Airport Improvement. He pointed out the importance of wayfinding and emphasis on passenger experience. “Both frequent and infrequent travelers will appreciate the integrated, intuitive and efficient design.”
Talking to Engineering News-Record, he highlighted the technical achievement of the terminal front bridge. “We had to bisect and cross two automated people-mover tunnels, a utility tunnel and a baggage tunnel,” Peduzzi said. “Once the old apron was removed, the top of the tunnels were at subgrade. We had to span all that with passengers while maintaining passenger, utilities and baggage operations beneath.”
Read the articles, Pittsburgh Int’l Puts Finishing Touches on New Landside Terminal and Innovation Flies at PIT, in the November 2025 issues of Airport Improvement magazine and Engineering News-Record.
