Cleveland Proposes New Passenger Boarding Bridges
Cleveland is moving forward with a plan to modernize infrastructure at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) through an emergency ordinance to replace aging equipment. Under File No. 946-2026, the city aims to upgrade the passenger boarding bridges used at common use gates to improve safety and operational efficiency.
What's in the file
The Department of Port Control is seeking authority to manage a public improvement project involving the design, purchase, installation, and disposal of passenger boarding bridges. According to the Legislative Summary, the project includes:
- Designing and constructing up to twelve new passenger boarding bridges and their associated appurtenances.
- Removing and disposing of existing, outdated bridges.
- Authorizing the Director of Port Control to enter into "design-build" or "engineer-procure-construct" contracts.
The department noted that the current bridges at CLE common use gates are over 30 years old and require continuous specialized maintenance. Replacing these bridges is intended to enhance safety and generate long-term maintenance cost savings.
| Project Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Anticipated Cost | $26,000,000 |
| Maximum number of bridges | 12 |
Who may be affected
- Department of Port Control: Authorized to enter into contracts for the project.
- Airlines at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: Utilize common use facilities, including gates and boarding bridges, on a per-use fee basis.
Status and timeline
- August 14, 2026: The emergency ordinance was introduced to City Council.
- September 28, 2026: Related council proceedings occurred, including reports and communications.
The ordinance is currently listed as passed.
Residents can verify the details of this proposal by reviewing the official record for Ordinance No. 946-2026 through the Cleveland City Council Legistar website.
Source record
- File
- 946-2026
- Type
- Emergency Ordinance
- Status
- Passed
- Committee
- City Council
- Introduced
- August 13, 2026