Jul. 16—Extensive upgrades are being made at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport and travelers going through the McNamara Terminal are sure to take notice.
Airport officials announced Tuesday that upgrades to 67 restrooms are underway.
According to airport officials, every restroom undergoing renovations is being stripped down to the studs and rebuilt.
The upgrades include terrazzo tile flooring, lighting technology that indicates if a stall is occupied, step stools for sinks, oversized sinks, individual lighted mirrors, convenience shelving in each stall and urinal, light-up entry signage and more.
The first set of newly renovated restrooms near Gate A10 opened late last month.
"Our facilities at DTW are getting even better," said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. "This project, thanks to the Biden administration's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants, will improve our customer experience as we strive to exceed the high standards that our guests have come to expect at DTW."
All passenger facing restrooms in the McNamara Terminal will receive upgrades.
The restrooms will be closed on a rolling basis to minimize the impact on customers.
There is signage on the construction walls directing passengers to the nearest open restroom.
Authorities say all restroom upgrades are expected to be completed in 2027.
A $28 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Terminal Program is covering most of the $38 million total construction cost.
The Wayne County Airport Authority is funding the rest of the project, officials said.
A total of nearly $51.2 million has been spent through various grants on funding improvements at metro and Willow Run.
The following is a status report of the work:
—Rehabilitation of 67 public restrooms ( McNamara Terminal) — underway
—Rehabilitation of 18 baggage carousels ( McNamara Terminal) — complete
—Replacement of 13 jet bridges ( McNamara Terminal) — underway
—Six in Phase A — complete
—Seven in Phase B — underway
—Relocation of FAA and National Weather Service Equipment at YIP — underway
In addition to those projects, the Airport Authority has applied for a $61.8 million BIL AIG grant for access road work currently underway on Dingell Drive.
The grant is expected to be finalized soon.
Originally Published: July 16, 2024 at 5:25 p.m.
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