The design plan for the new terminal for Pago Pago International Airport was presented by a team from Woolpert, the Ohio based company that was awarded the contract for the design work.
The presentation held at the conference room at the Port Administration Offices at the airport was specifically for the Legislature, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu and about 12 senators and representatives were in attendance. 
The design work is almost completed and today’s presentation was an opportunity to gain feedback from lawmakers.
The detailed briefing covered the vision that went into the design, the various phases of the project, the building materials to be used, the electrical and cooling systems and all aspects of the project.
The current terminal area is 89,522 square feet. The proposed new terminal area will be 146,572 square feet and will expand and modernize all areas of the airport from the parking lot, to the check in area, airline offices and retail stores, departure lounge, and arrival area.
Design Director Joel Esrussy said the architecture will reflect Samoan traditions and culture.
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Team Leader Curtis Brown said the new terminal will be 4 feet higher than the existing terminal and is built to last 50-60 years. The design will enable flights to Honolulu and flights to Manu’a and Samoa to operate simultaneously something that is not possible now. There will also be a boarding bridge.
The existing terminal will be demolished and built up in phases. The first phase is the parking lot and roadway, which is planned to begin construction in the early part of next year.
Initial estimates put the price tag for the project at $100 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration and other federal sources providing financing.
