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Eugene Airport Wraps Up $19 Million In Renovations, Expansion

Brian Bull
/
KLCC

Travelers at the Eugene Airport can expect faster security lines and less crowding at the baggage claim.  KLCC’s Brian Bull reports on the completion of a two-year-renovation project.  

The $19-million overhaul to the Eugene Airport’s terminal building includes an expansion of the security checkpoint, and an additional baggage carousel.  More than 32,000 square feet has either been added or reconfigured since the project began in November 2014.  

Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
/
KLCC
Travelers lineup at the ticketing and check-in area.

Timothy Doll is Director of the Eugene Airport.  He’s pleased that visitation didn’t suffer during all the renovations.

“We have a sixth year record in a row here, we’re about 10 percent above last year," says Doll.  

"This year hopefully we’ll hit a million passengers coming through and out of the terminal building.” 

Assistant Airport Director Cathryn Stephens says the renovations improve on remodeling last done in 1989, which will get people through security faster.

“You know, our lobby was never really designed to have full-scale security screening in it…just giving screening its own area, at more than double the size for screening, so that alone will alleviate that pinch point.” 

Credit Brian Bull / KLCC
/
KLCC
Two new baggage carousels (aka belts) are featured at the renovated Eugene Airport.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours Tuesday marked the grand opening of the improved space.  

FAA grants and airport revenue helped fund the project.  

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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