Officials break ground on the $127 million terminal expansion project at Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Photo by Gabriel Dillard

As jets landed and taxied for takeoff in the background, Fresno city officials broke ground Friday on a nearly $127 million expansion at Fresno Yosemite International Airport.

A leveled dirt field just south of the main terminal will be the site of a new terminal concourse, passenger security screening area, international arrivals facility, new shopping and dining areas and state-of-the art baggage handling systems.

Nevada-based Q&D Construction will head up the project.

It is the largest expansion of the airport terminal’s 60-plus-year history, said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, who highlighted the airport’s 122% passenger growth over pre-pandemic levels.

 

More than 2.1 million passengers passed through the airport last year — a record.

“They say great cities have great airports,” Dyer said. “We are well on our way to having a great airport in the City of Fresno.

Tyler Maxwell, whose Fresno City Council district includes the airport, highlighted the economic benefits of expanding passenger capacity. Local economic impact from the project is estimated at $85 million.

“This is a game-changer for the dozens and dozens of businesses surrounding the airport,” Maxwell said, including hotels, retail stores and restaurants.

 

Duane Boreham heads the aviation group for Q&D Construction. He said the project is on track to meet key goals involving the construction workforce. About 70% of the subcontractors are local to Central California, he said, adding that the project has an 80% union participation rate.

About 400 workers are expected to work on the airport expansion, which is subject to a union Project Labor Agreement.

Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) had a hand in securing a $7.1 million federal grant to help fund the project as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

“This is an investment in the future of the Valley,” Costa said.

Fresno council approves $126.86M FAT expansion contract