LNAA ABE Security Checkpoint (Connector) Improvements

Arora Engineers (Arora), serving as the prime consultant, provided planning, design and construction phase services including assisting Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) with researching and securing additional grants for the $35M, greenfield Terminal Modernization Project that created four lanes of TSA Security Screening and a more direct connection to the Departure Terminal.

ABE’s Terminal Modernization Project was one of the first national infrastructure projects to receive a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) grant, and the first to be completed on task, on time and within budget utilizing these funds.

The overall goal of this project was to improve the level of service for both the departing and arriving passengers at ABE. These improvements included the following program elements:

Improved departing (outbound) and arriving passenger flow via an elevated connector
New departing and arriving passenger Security Screening Checkpoint (SSCP)
New vertical circulation core located at the Wiley Terminal (Elevators/Escalators).
Improved arriving (inbound) passenger flow via a new below grade tunnel.
Numerous facility infrastructure improvements related to the Connector (Restrooms/Substation/Etc.)

The expansion project changed the entire travel experience for passengers with up to four lanes of TSA Security Screening and a more direct connection to the Departure Terminal accessible from the ticket counter level.

With a focus on modernization and passenger comfort, the Terminal Modernization Project replaced unreliable escalators and elevators to reduce the number of vertical transitions within the terminal complex, simplifying the passenger experience and enhancing accessibility for all travelers. This project also includes several unique elements like a medical grade air purification system that eradicates 99.99% of airborne pathogens and highly efficient, self-tinting windows that prevent glare and block UV rays, saving energy and enhancing outdoor views.

SCOPE OF WORK INCLUDED:

Arora’s Scope of Work includes the following:

Mechanical and Plumbing:
1) Design of HVAC Systems for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge that will connect the existing main terminal building and the existing departures terminal.
To develop the systems’ design, Arora evaluated the existing buildings’ HVAC systems for possible expansion.

If the evaluation results showed that the existing buildings’ systems’ had capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of expanding those systems.
If the evaluation results showed the existing buildings’ systems’ did not have capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of new HVAC systems specifically for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge.

2) Design of HVAC systems for the existing below-grade pedestrian corridor expansion associated with the new vertical transportation link, from Level 0 secured corridor to the Level 1 departures concourse. To develop these systems’ design, Arora evaluated the existing below-grade pedestrian corridor and the existing departures building’s HVAC systems for possible expansion.

If the evaluation results showed that these systems have capacity to accommodate the below-grade pedestrian corridor expansion, Arora’s design consisted of expanding those systems.
If the evaluation results showed that these systems do not have capacity to accommodate the below-grade pedestrian corridor expansion, Arora’s design consisted of new HVAC systems specifically for the new below-grade pedestrian corridor expansion.

3) Design of plumbing systems for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge that will connect the existing main terminal building and the existing departures terminal.

Arora designed:

Plumbing systems to accommodate roof drainage needs (rainwater conductors) for the length of the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge.
Condensate drainage systems for renovated and/or new mechanical HVAC systems.
Domestic water distribution systems and sanitary waste systems for renovated and/or new toilet rooms and the TSA breakroom.
Sump pump assemblies for escalator and elevator pits associated with the grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge and the new below-grade pedestrian corridor expansion.

Electrical:
1) Design of electrical systems for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge that will connect the existing main terminal building and the existing departures terminal. To develop the systems’ design, Arora evaluated the existing buildings’ electrical systems for possible expansion.

If the evaluation results showed that existing buildings’ systems’ have capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of expanding those systems.
If the evaluation results showed these existing buildings’ systems’ do not have capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of new electrical systems specifically for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge.

2) Arora’s electrical design addressed modifications to the existing underground electrical distribution system impacted by the footprint of the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge that connected the existing main terminal building and the existing departures terminal.

3) Arora’s electrical design accommodated the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge’s power distribution requirements for HVAC systems, two escalators, two elevators, general power, lighting, and specific needs for equipment associated the new TSA check point equipment.

4) Arora’s electrical design also accommodated power distribution requirements for HVAC systems, two escalators, two elevators, elevator pit service work, switched lights and GFCI receptacles, general power, and lighting associated with the Level 0 secured corridor expansion and modified Level 1 departures concourse.

Fire Alarm:
1) Design of fire alarm system for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge that connected the existing main terminal building and the existing departures terminal. To develop the systems’ design, Arora evaluated the existing buildings’ fire alarm system for possible expansion.

If the evaluation results showed the existing buildings’ system had capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of expanding that system.
If the evaluation results said the existing buildings’ system did not have capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of a new fire alarm system interface specifically for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge.

2) Arora’s fire alarm design accommodated the new grade level TSA area, pedestrian bridge, the Level 0 secured corridor expansion and modified Level 1 departures concourse, initiation requirements, mostly consisting of smoke detection, heat detection where required, pull stations, monitoring of fire protection sprinkler zone(s). This design also addressed the fire alarm control function requirements associated with escalators and elevators.

3) Arora’s fire alarm design also accommodated the new grade level TSA area, pedestrian bridge, Level 0 secured corridor expansion and modified Level 1 departures concourse, notification requirements, consisting of auditable and visual notification appliances that complemented the existing auditable and visual notification appliances throughout the balance of the main terminal building and departures building.

Fire Protection:
1) Design of fire protection systems for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge that connected the existing main terminal building and the existing departures terminal. To develop the systems’ design, Arora evaluated the existing buildings’ fire protection systems for possible expansion.

If the evaluation results showed the existing buildings’ systems’ had capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of expanding those systems.
If the evaluation results said the existing buildings’ systems’ did not have capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of new fire protection systems specifically for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge.

2) Arora’s fire protection design addressed modifications to the existing underground fire protection piping distribution system impacted by the footprint of the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge that connected the existing main terminal building and the existing departures terminal.

3) Arora’s fire protection design accommodated the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge’s wet-pipe sprinkler requirements, hose station requirements, and dry-pipe sprinkler requirements below the elevated/exposed portion of the pedestrian bridge.

4) Arora’s fire protection design also addressed modifying the existing buildings’ wet-pipe sprinkler systems at the connecting points of the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge.

5) Arora’s fire protection design addressed required modifications and expansion of the existing wet-pipe sprinkler systems associated with the Level 0 secured corridor expansion and modified Level 1 departures concourse.

Special Systems:
1) Design of special system for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge that connected the existing main terminal building and the existing departures terminal. To develop the systems’ design, Arora evaluated the existing buildings’ special system for possible expansion.

If the evaluation results showed the existing buildings’ system had capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of expanding that system.
If the evaluation results said the existing buildings’ system did not have capacity to accommodate the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge, Arora’s design consisted of a new special system interface specifically for the new grade level TSA area and pedestrian bridge.

2) Arora’s special systems design will accommodated the new grade level TSA area, pedestrian bridge, the Level 0 secured corridor expansion and modified Level 1 departures concourse, mostly consisting of passenger signage within the project limits that complement the balance of the main terminal building and departures building.

The Terminal Modernization Project was unveiled on Friday, July 28th, 2023 by U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg.