St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) will break ground Monday, Oct 13th, on a $115 million airfield maintenance and operations facility, signaling the first major step toward a long-anticipated overhaul of the airport’s terminal infrastructure.
The 285,000 SF complex will replace nine outdated buildings currently scattered across the airport campus, some of which have been in use for more than half a century. Once complete, the new facility will centralize airfield operations, housing maintenance and equipment storage, snow-removal vehicles, materials warehousing, and other essential airport services under one roof.
The airfield project is part of STL’s broader West Airfield Program, which also includes the construction of a new deicing pad and supporting infrastructure. After the new maintenance facility is completed in late 2027, work will shift to redeveloping the existing campus into the deicing area. The move will improve aircraft turnaround efficiency, reduce taxi times, and streamline winter weather operations.
Funding for the project includes $20 million from the Federal Aviation Administration and $4.7 million from the Airport Infrastructure Grant program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Additional financing will be supported through airport revenue bonds backed by airline fees.
Wright Construction Services will lead the project, with design and engineering oversight coordinated through airport management and its consultant team. Officials emphasized that the new airfield complex is a necessary precursor to the upcoming $3 billion terminal consolidation plan, which will eventually merge Terminals 1 and 2 into a single modern terminal with upgraded passenger amenities and operational efficiencies.
Airport leadership described the project as a foundational investment that will enhance reliability, sustainability, and long-term performance across STL’s airfield operations. As the city’s gateway for more than 15 million travelers annually, the improvements are expected to strengthen the airport’s competitiveness and support continued regional growth.
Header image: St. Louis Lambert International Airport will soon have a new airfield maintenance and operations facility. Photo | St. Louis Lambert International Airport