ST. LOUIS—St. Louis Lambert International Airport will get $331 million to fund airport projects that will modernize part of its current infrastructure, according to STL Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge. 

The funding comes from the airport’s signatory airlines and officials say it will help the facility move forward on several key initiatives outlined in its master plan.

“It will make our airport more adaptable to the future needs of this industry,” said Hamm-Niebruegge. 

The projects include:

Design and construction of a new Central Utility Plant (CUP):

This will give the airport updated mechanical and electrical systems. Airport officials say much of the existing facility dates back to 1950s when the original terminal was built. The CUP houses systems like power distribution, water and air conditioning among others.

Relocation of Airfield Maintenance:

The current facility dates back to the 1960s and is located in a flood-prone area. The present structures also cannot accommodate today’s modern airfield maintenance equipment, according to officials. The airport will also hire staff to organize and implement these projects over the next several years. 

Design and construct new west deicing pad:

Once the airfield maintenance facility is moved, the airport says it can build a west deicing pad which is essential to accommodate the airport’s need to more safely and efficiently deice aircraft in winter weather.

Demolish the vacant Air National Guard Complex:

Demolition and removal of the complex will allow the airport to decrease maintenance costs.

The airport will also hire staff to organize and implement these projects over the next several years.  In May of 2023, the FAA approved an updated master plan for the airport.