Love the Journey Blog

The $210 million project will house car rental services, increase public parking availability and incorporate public transit connections

Governor Ned Lamont, State leaders, Connecticut Airport Authority officials, and project stakeholders held a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site of Bradley International Airport’s new Ground Transportation Center on July 18.

“Undoubtedly, Bradley International Airport is rapidly rising in popularity and ridership, with more airlines and routes being added regularly,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “More and more people throughout New England are recognizing the multiple benefits this airport provides – a convenient, centralized location, and growing amenities that make travel easier. In fact, Condé Nast Traveler, one of the world’s leading travel magazines, ranks Bradley as the third best airport in the country. Now with this addition of this Ground Transportation Center, travel will become even more convenient. Improving Connecticut’s transportation system is key to improving business development and growing jobs in nearly every sector of our economy. I am determined to utilize our state’s largest airport as an economic driver.”

“We’re pleased to officially begin this new, historic chapter for Bradley International Airport,” said Tony Sheridan, Chairman of the Connecticut Airport Authority Board of Directors. “The Ground Transportation Center will dramatically transform the aesthetics of the airport and will be a major customer experience enhancement. This project is certainly a major undertaking, and on behalf of the CAA Board of Directors, thanks to everyone who has helped make it a reality – especially all of our partners, who have played an integral role in the process over the last year.”

“The Ground Transportation Center will bring significant benefits to our passengers and the Bradley Airport community,” said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “Our passengers will save time as their rental cars will be located closer to the terminal and the airport footprint will become more environmentally friendly and less congested. There will be also better access to public transportation. Furthermore, the construction will generate jobs and the properties where the rental car companies currently operate can be developed in the future for other exciting purposes.”

The new 1.4 million square feet facility will span across 13.4 acres and will be located west of the existing short-term and long-term parking garage, with a direct connection to Terminal A. Its major features will include:

• Convenient Rental Car Services Across from Terminal A
  • All car rental services will be consolidated in this facility and will be easily accessible, within a short walking distance from the terminal. The facility will replace the current off-airport rental car facilities and eliminate the need for passengers to use shuttles to access their rental cars.
• Additional Public Parking
  • The facility will add 830 new public parking spots. More than half of these spaces will offer covered parking; and the remainder will be surface parking spots next to the facility.
• Improved Access to Public Transportation
  • The facility will also include a dedicated area that will be used to receive high-frequency buses connecting the airport to the CTrail line, as well as regional bus services.

The construction phase will be completed over the next three years and will cost approximately $210 million, which is being entirely financed by customer facility charge revenues.

In anticipation of the construction of the new Ground Transportation Center, several enabling projects were initiated in 2018 to prepare the site for construction. These projects focused on the realignment of roadways and the addition of a new intersection. Additional enabling projects will commence in the late summer and will be publicized in the coming weeks.

To view photos of the event, visit our Facebook page by clicking here.

About Bradley International Airport

Bradley International Airport (BDL) welcomes nearly 7 million travelers each year, making it the second largest airport in New England. At Bradley International Airport, we want our passengers to “Love the Journey.” We proudly offer nonstop access to 30+ popular destinations. Recent efforts to elevate the travel experience through terminal enhancements and new amenities have helped Bradley International Airport earn the #3 spot in the prestigious ranking of best airports in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler in 2018. Bradley International Airport is operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority, and its operations are entirely self-funded. The airport contributes nearly $2.6 billion to the regional economy. For more info, visit www.flybdl.org.

About The Connecticut Airport Authority

The CAA was established in 2011 to develop, improve, and operate Bradley International Airport and the state’s five general aviation airports (Danielson, Groton-New London, Hartford-Brainard, Waterbury-Oxford, and Windham).  The CAA Board consists of 11 members with a broad spectrum of experience in aviation-related and other industries, as well as government.  The goal of the CAA is to make Connecticut’s airports more attractive to new airlines, bring in new routes, and support Connecticut’s overall economic development and growth strategy.

Bradley International Airport (BDL) invites you to love the journey at New England's second-largest airport. Recognized nationally by leading travel publications for its ease of travel, Bradley International Airport is ready to welcome you with new nonstops, expanded services, and convenient travel. The award-winning airport is operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority, and its operations are entirely self-funded. The airport contributes nearly $3.6 billion to the regional economy.

*Some nonstop flights may operate only during certain time periods of the year (seasonally). For the latest flight information, please visit the airline's website.