LVIA looks at building five-level parking garage

Construction of a proposed fivelevel parking garage and transportation center with 1,100 spaces at Lehigh Valley International Airport could be completed by summer 2028, the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study learned Wednesday.

Ryan Meyer, director of planning and programming for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority told the Joint Technical and Coordinating Committee meeting that proposals will be reviewed in March with the 18-month design duration to begin around July 2025 with a three-year construction period.

“We’re kind of in the very preliminary stages, but I think it’s important to talk about it because we get a lot of feedback from travelers,” Meyer said.

Because it’s in such an early phase, a price estimate for the project is not yet available, said LNAA spokesperson Colin Riccobon.

A conceptual drawing showed the transportation center located next to the terminal and it will be needed as additional development, such as construction of a 125-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel, will take away from overflow parking.

“So we’re excited to kind of get this kicked off in the designer selection standpoint,” Meyer said, “but really we’re starting it now because by the time, if everything goes according to plan, and we complete this in July 2028, we actually get to a point in our forecast where we run out of even our overflow parking. It’s a long time coming but we really need to start it now before it’s too late.”

Meyer updated the LVTS on LVIA events over the past year, including the opening of the $35 million expanded security checkpoint, the $40 million federal grant to construct a new cargo procession facility and beginning nonstop airline service to Denver, Melbourne, Florida, and Orlando’s main airport.

Coordinating Committee chair

Rick Molchany said LVIA has became “an important component” of the Lehigh Valley.

“We’ve had this airport for as long as I can remember, but the outstanding efforts that are being accomplished and we’re getting recognized by federal and state, as you notice, by getting the grants approved to make those leaps,” he said.

LVIA had 68,030 travelers in January, its highest total for that month since 2004. It’s also a 2.5% increase from January 2023.

“Starting the year with strong activity is certainly exciting for the airport,” said LNAA Executive Director Thomas R. Stoudt. “We’ve been fortunate that winter weather hasn’t frequently impacted airline schedules. Additionally, ABE has several options for people trying to either escape the snow or for those travelers seeking the perfect destination to enjoy it.”

Among the airlines serving LVIA, Allegiant passenger traffice increased 8.9% and American jumped 3.8%. Delta passenger traffic remained flat with United declining 21% from last January.

LVIA reported 18.3 million pounds of air cargo was processed in January, a decrease of 19.2% from January 2023.