Construction launched on major cargo hub at Pittsburgh International Airport
PITTSBURGH — Commerce at Pittsburgh International Airport could take off in coming years.
Crews launched construction of a 77,000-square-foot facility called Cargo 4 on Thursday morning. Experts say the building, slated to open in 2024, could generate up to $229 million in revenue for the Western Pennsylvania region each year.
“The expansion of cargo at Pittsburgh International Airport continues to be another example of the strong and growing economy of our region,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “More cargo means more jobs, and I thank our federal delegation for their work in securing the grant that helped get this project to where we are today.”
Pioneered by Pittsburgh Institute of Technology, Cargo 4 should expand space for traffic from international cargo and incorporate new technology into Pittsburgh International Airport’s existing capabilities. Proponents of the project say this will spur distribution of freight from abroad throughout the United States and North America.
PIT’s Cargo 4 has benefited from funding through the Better Utilitizing Investments to Leverage Development or BUILD Program, a U.S. Department of Transportation effort to invest more in transportation infrastructure. It has received grants of $18.69 million and $5.8 million in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
The building will consist of two floors amounting to 69,000 square feet of warehouse space and 7,300 square feet of office space, along with 17 loading docks for trucks. Most docks will include dock levelers, although the remaining docks will be designed for Unit Loading Devices. Flatbed trucks with dedicated loading docks can access the inside of the warehouse, a feature which will serve as an advantage during poor weather conditions.
“The facility is a major step in growing Pittsburgh International Airport into an international logistics center,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. “Cargo continues to be a major focus for us, and the downstream economic benefits are substantial for the region. We are appreciative that our federal officials understand the importance of air cargo as national critical infrastructure.”
Once complete, Cargo 4 can separate out valuable, vulnerable and hazardous goods, afford greater space for security screenings and harbor more equipment intended for special and temperature-controlled cargo. Equipped for any aircraft operational today, its expanded apron can serve two Boeing 747-8 Freighters side by side or up to four Boeing 747-200s at once.
