Edmonton airport north tower undergoing two-year renovation
63,000-square-foot building getting safety upgrades and modernization; departures traffic will narrow to one lane for about a year.
The half-century-old north tower at Edmonton International Airport is entering a two-year renovation that will affect travellers departing the terminal.
The tower, which opened in 1963, originally housed air traffic control and corporate offices until 2013 when a new eight-story Central Tower with a wave-like exterior took over those functions. The north tower now sits above the departures level vehicle drop-off zone.
Renovations include safety upgrades, building envelope improvements, elevator modernization, refreshed interior spaces, and new infrastructure for future tenants. The 63,000-square-foot building is part of a broader five-year terminal revitalization.
Construction will narrow the three departures traffic lanes to one for approximately one year, and the north pedway from the parkade is closed until the end of next week. Travellers are asked to use the south pedway or ground level access instead. The airport says it will position extra staff in the construction area to guide traffic.
To fund the work, the airport improvement fee will increase from $35 to $40 per departing passenger, effective July 1. The airport says the $5 adjustment directly supports major infrastructure upgrades designed to "enhance the passenger experience and strengthen operational reliability" and accommodate future growth.