$58 million airport terminal project nears completion

BIG FLATS, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Elmira Corning Regional Airport is expected to open its new terminal in just under two weeks. Work on the 58-million dollar project began last year, with a crew of over 100 people now hard at work to get it all done by October 31st.
"I think it's going to be impressive," says Director of Aviation, Bill Hopper. "People who come here for job interviews or business, this is going to be the first place they see. They're going to get off the plane and they're gonna see this airport and the beauty of the surrounding landscape and all that surrounds us."
Once its finished, the terminal will feature a brand new bar & grille, waiting areas and Dunkin Donuts.
But perhaps the biggest change taking shape is the outdoor patio.
"A lot of people fly international and are stuck in planes and terminals for twenty-two hours, [so] this is an opportunity to sit outside and just enjoy the outdoors before you have to get on that plane," says Hopper. "It's just going to be a very nice place to kind of unwind before you get on that plane."
Crews have been working 24 hours, seven days a week; Hopper says work is right on track to meet that October 31st deadline.
This week, new furniture will be brought in and installed throughout the terminal. Crews will also be finishing up last minute painting and putting the final touches on the project.
Operations will start up in the terminal on November 1st.