Construction recently began on Philadelphia International Airport’s new Remain Overnight aircraft parking apron. The apron is located on the northwest corner of PHL’s airfield, next to the FedEx facilities in Cargo City on the former site of the USPS facility demolished in 2018. The $40 million project is expected to be completed in June 2022.

PHL received a $2 million Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for the RON apron; the state grant program is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

“This RON project serves two functions for our airport,” said Chellie Cameron, CEO, PHL. “First, by providing aircraft parking space away from terminal gates, our airline partners can perform their terminal operations more efficiently. Second, as PHL begins its West Cargo Development program, the location of the apron provides quick access to cargo facilities and our runways.”

When complete, the apron will accommodate eight aircraft, and part of the constructed pavement will provide parking for deicing trucks. Ulta-lightweight foam glass aggregate will be used to construct the embankment, as this material mitigates the expected consolidation of the underlying soils. Its use at PHL is the largest of its kind and will minimize construction time.

“I’m very excited to support the airport’s project, which will improve the efficiency of operations at the terminals and set the stage for a big expansion of cargo activities,” said State Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware). “Not only will the RON create great jobs for our construction and building trades, but the ensuing cargo activities will create permanent good jobs for people in Delco and Philadelphia. As an architect, I’m excited by the project’s innovation.”