Recognition builds for MAC airfield and terminal projects

The MAC is celebrating five recent awards for airfield and terminal improvement projects at MSP and St. Paul Downtown Airport. 

“Working in construction for as long as we have, we know that the projects we do here can often cause lots of headaches for our users,” said Bridget Rief, MAC vice president for Planning and Development, while sharing the awards with the Board of Commissioners this week. “To have companies and agencies like these recognize those projects is really great for this commission, for the staff, for the teams that help put all of these projects together.”

Engineering Excellence Awards: MSP runway reconstruction

The reconstruction of Runway 12L-30R at MSP Airport earned state and national Engineering Excellence Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

The summer 2024 project temporarily closed the airport’s north parallel and crosswind runways. The improvements included updated taxiways, new LED lighting and signage, regraded safety areas, and the full concrete reconstruction of the intersection between Runway 12L-30R and 4-22.

Outstanding Performance and Quality in Construction honors: STP runway project

The reconstruction of Runway 14-32 at St. Paul Downtown Airport also earned accolades: a Merit Award for Outstanding Performance from the Minnesota Department of Transportation and a Quality in Construction Award from the National Asphalt Paving Association. 

Completed in summer 2025, the project rebuilt a mile-long section of runway pavement, improved drainage and lighting, and completed other essential safety upgrades for one of the busiest general aviation runways in the state. 

Minneapolis Preservation Award: MSP Operational Improvements Program

Finally, the MSP Operational Improvements Program was recognized with a Minneapolis Preservation Award from the American Institute of Architects’ Minneapolis chapter, the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and Preserve Minneapolis.

The decadelong transformation of the public side of Terminal 1 concluded last fall. The preservation award, in the “Historic Restoration, Rehabilitation or Adaptive Reuse” category, acknowledged the efforts to honor the terminal’s modernist architecture — and its iconic folded-plate roof — while integrating modern passenger amenities, security and technology upgrades, and more.

Congratulations to the MAC teams, partners and collaborators whose dedication and expertise made these projects possible!