State grant aids Gary airport cargo services project

A $9.8 million state grant will enable the expansion of cargo ramp positions as the Gary/Chicago International Airport moves forward on Phase 1 of its cargo expansion services. The work involves the construction of 25 acres of concrete on a 55-acre site on the airport’s west end.

The airport authority approved the contract modification with ramp contractor Superior Construction, of Gary, at its Wednesday meeting. Last month, the board awarded a $15 million contract to Superior for Phase 1 of the project.

Executive airport director Dan Vicari said the state grant will speed up the expansion, enabling eight wide-bodied ramp positions instead of three.

UPS, which leases space at the airport, will use the new ramp to expand its operations. It’s now based at the airport’s passenger terminal.

Airport officials hope to attract more cargo business, in addition to UPS.

Officials said work would begin in September and be completed by the end of the year.

The capability to construct all the intended aircraft parking positions simultaneously provides the airport with roughly $8.5 million in overall cost savings for its Phase 1 project, according to a release.

“We are very pleased to be able to construct all of our planned plane parking in one fell swoop versus a more sequential process over a period of years, given how quickly our cargo sector continues to grow,” said Vicari.

Vicari said funding came from U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan’s community projects fund, former President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill, and the Indiana Department of Transportation. The airport’s share is about $350,000.