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DETROIT, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Associated General Contractors of Michigan has bestowed its highest honor, a Build Michigan Award, on the North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Members of the project team -- the Wayne County Airport Authority, construction managers Walbridge and Barton Malow, and architects Gensler and Ghafari -- were recognized at the conferral ceremony, January 29, at the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, Detroit.

"It's great to see the North Terminal receive the recognition it deserves," said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. "It's an important element in anchoring the Detroit Region Aerotropolis to create the jobs and prosperity of the future."

One of the first airport complexes fully designed and constructed post-9/11, the 26-gate, 850,000 square foot North Terminal can accommodate 14 million passengers annually. The linear footprint creates a faster, more efficient path for taxiing aircraft, which conserves fuel, reduces environmental emissions, and saves time for travelers. Natural daylight, bright color, and dramatic lighting enhance the passenger experience and impression of the facility. Built within a budget of $431 million, the North Terminal establishes a new benchmark for value-conscious airport planners.

The work included a multi-airline terminal, Federal Inspection Services (FIS) for international flights, baggage handling, hydrant fueling system, and apron replacement. Additionally, the team created an enclosed skywalk between the terminal and a parking garage, and a ground transportation center for commercial traffic, to leave the curbside for passenger vehicles.

"We extend our thanks to the local contracting community, which understood the significance of this work, and was committed to excellence throughout," said Barton Malow Project Executive Doug Maibach.

"Walbridge was pleased to contribute our innovations to this project," added Walbridge Chairman and CEO John Rakolta, Jr. "The North Terminal team not only achieved ambitious goals in costs, logistics, and deadlines, it has enhanced the role of Detroit Metro Airport as a world-class gateway to the Metro Detroit Region."

Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Lester Robinson summed up the meaning of the Build Michigan honor and the importance of the new facility. "The North Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport is a shining example of how to achieve more with less," he said. "Working with a very modest budget and a tight set of design limitations, the project team created a facility that satisfied the bookkeepers, provides an ultra-efficient operating environment for airlines, incorporates a number of eco-friendly features, and -- most importantly -- delights Detroit travelers and visitors to our region. You can't ask for much more than that!"