Major renovations underway at South Bend International Airport

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- On Wednesday city leaders broke ground on a 20-million-dollar renovation project called 'SBN Up-Front' that will overhaul the airport's current facade and traffic flow.

The groundbreaking at SBN marks the start of a new era of modernization, one that should support the continued growth of travel in and out of the hub. The past year has seen historic numbers of passengers coming through the airport, and that, as well as the need for updated outside lanes for things like rideshares, are the major drivers behind the updates. 

Not only will the project modernize and beautify the airport terminal's facade, but it will also improve traffic flow through the often-congested front drive. The plan calls for the addition of a lane exclusively for rideshares like Lyft and Uber, as well as shuttles, and transpo buses, and a median will help separate the traffic from this new lane and the main front drive. The goal is to increase efficiency and safety for all travelers rushing to and from the terminal.

The new entrance to SBN will be more aesthetically pleasing as well, and add the convenience of raised crosswalks, and canopies to provide protection from the weather. 

The project is being financed by a mix of federal and state grants, as well as local funding. Airport officials are projecting a completion date of August 2027.