One Step Closer to Completing Terminal Modernization Project
March 10, 2025
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City – The Eastern Iowa Airport – CID is one step closer to completing the terminal modernization project with the opening of a new 30,000 square-foot expansion, adding four more gates at the airport. When the project is completed later this year, CID will have a total of 13 gates/jet bridges.
“It looks great,” says Marty Lenss, CID director. “We’re very excited to have it open and move to the next phase of construction.”
The extension opened March 3 and at this time, the new gates are being primarily used by Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
This current construction is Phase 4 of the project that began in 2014. The final portion of Phase 4 involves creating a temporary corridor, walling off the remaining portion of the terminal that will be updated to have the same finishes used throughout the concourse.
The new extension features a second oculus, an architectural feature that is a circular opening allowing natural light. “There is park-like seating in the oculus combined with greenery in that area,” Lenss says. “There is expanded seating by each new gate with many electrical outlets for passengers to use to charge their phones or other devices.”
A large patio, located between gates 12 and 14, will open in May, Lenss says. “That will be a popular spot for people to sit outside. You have a fantastic view of the runways and you can take your beverage or food out there while you wait for your flight.”
There will also be a Service Animal Relief Area (SARA) installed on the new patio. Until that is open, a temporary SARA is in place on the existing patio near Gate 1.
In the final portion of construction, a sensory room will be included and the Cedar Ridge Barrel Room will be remodeled with additional seating. The concessionaire, SSP America, is opening the “Tap and Pour” in the new extension. Beverages and a limited menu will be available until the remodeled Barrel Room is re-opened.
During this final phase, some existing jet bridges will be closed in order to complete construction.
Lenss says construction on the terminal modernization project when it is completed (fall 2025) every portion of the terminal, from the curb to the new extension will have been remodeled or constructed. It is the first complete terminal modernization since the terminal opened in 1986.
Total cost of the four-phase project is an estimated $121 million. Lenss says the majority of project funding – 60 percent – is from the airport, 32 percent of the total cost is from the Federal Aviation Administration through various programs and grants and 25 percent of the funding was provided by the State of Iowa.
No local tax dollars were used to pay for the project.
Lenss says this work is about “future proofing” the airport for Eastern Iowa and beyond. “This will set up the region for the next 30 years of continued growth,” he says.
The new concourse extension is open just in time for the start of CID’s busiest time of year – spring break. Lenss says Saturday, March 15 is expected to have the most passengers departing for that week of travel – with an anticipated 3,000 passengers departing CID on that day.
“We encourage passengers to come early for their flight so they can check out the new portion of the concourse,” Lenss says. “We’re proud of the progress that has been made and we believe every person who flies out, or comes into CID, will see a bright, modern terminal that serves as the premium gateway for all of eastern Iowa.”
Project partners:
- Foth Engineering
- Mead & Hunt (architects)
- Rinderknecht Associates Inc (Phase 4 general contractor)
