MCO And The Weitz Company Host Pedestrian Bridge Topping Out Ceremony
(Orlando, Florida) – Last Friday, May 31, 2024, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), The Weitz Company, and its partners held a traditional topping out ceremony to commemorate the last structural beam hoisted into place for the pedestrian bridge that will connect Terminal C to the Train Station.
More than 250 key stakeholders, GOAA staff and board members, and media attended the event and signed the beam prior to it being hoisted into place. Additionally, Weitz, Jacobs employees, and Iron Workers placed the ceremonial pine tree on the beam as a part of a longstanding tradition in the industry. This ceremony symbolized the structural phase completion of the 450-foot-long elevated pedestrian walkway, which will provide easy access between Terminal C, the Train Station, the Terminal Link Automated People Mover (APM) connector, the North Terminal, and Parking Garage C.
“The topping out of the pedestrian bridge is a significant milestone in our journey to enhance connectivity and convenience at Orlando International Airport,” said Kevin J. Thibault, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Most importantly, this bridge, when completed, will provide the seamless link between planes, trains and automobiles that has been the goal of this airport for decades.”
“The Weitz Company is ecstatic to work with GOAA to improve their overall passenger experience with the Terminal C Pedestrian Bridge & Rental Car Lobby project. Our team understands how projects like these are a key point for many travelers and ensuring a positive experience is vital,” said Ben Bunge, General Manager – Aviation at The Weitz Company. “We are proud to celebrate this topping out milestone with our project team members Rhodes + Brito, Votum Construction, and many others, and we look forward to continuing to work with the key partners and stakeholders as we see this project across the finish line.”
The Terminal C Pedestrian Bridge & Rental Car Lobby procurement and design project will primarily focus on constructing a pedestrian walkway that is elevated, enclosed, and air-conditioned and an adjacent rental car lobby area on the north side. The rental car lobby will include rental car counters and queuing areas, multi-use information displays, and other enhancements.
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About The Weitz Company
Founded in 1855, The Weitz Company is a full-service construction company, general contractor, design builder, and construction manager that serves all 50 U.S. states. Weitz is one of the oldest general contractors in the United States and an industry leader in aviation construction, industrial construction, mission critical construction, virtual design and more. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, The Weitz Company annually ranks in the top tier of Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine’s Top 400 Contractors and Building Design+Construction’s Giants 300 Contractors lists. You can read more about The Weitz Company at https://www.weitz.com/.
About The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is proud to operate Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), two of Florida’s premier air travel gateways. MCO is a world-class global connector, serving more than 58 million annual passengers in its three terminals. ORL is conveniently located just miles from downtown Orlando and provides vital general aviation access to the heart of the region.
