News of the new and upgraded Portland International Airport (PDX) terminal has been circulating in the Portland community for months. Recently, they announced that it will finally be open to the public in August of this year; the full structure is expected to be completed in 2025. 

Airport officials hope this $2 billion investment will create an optimized and more sustainable place for travelers to get to their destinations. In addition, PDX plans to create more opportunities for local businesses by opening numerous stores and shops in the terminal. 

At the moment, PDX is split into four concourses, with no shortcut between them after security. The new terminal will create a space that allows for easier conveyance between the concourses as well as easier connections for connecting flights. Moreover, architects have gotten inspiration from the Portland landscapes to build a terminal with wood from real, local trees, a lattice ceiling and leafy foliage. 

For the few that have gotten a glance at the construction, it’s definitely an upgrade from the original terminal. Tualatin High junior Caden Howe had some thoughts on this construction project. 

“I think that the new terminal at PDX will make the airport better overall by expanding and allowing more flights to take place,” Howe said. “It will make the airport more efficient and hopefully less crowded. Even though the construction process takes time it’ll be worth it in the end. It was also cool seeing some of the construction when I went on my recent trip to Belize.”

More information on the terminal can be found on pdxnext.com.