January 28, 2021
(Ontario, California – January 28, 2021) – The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority has selected HNTB for the project and construction management services contract for its first-of-a-kind, emerging technology tunnel mobility solution to Ontario Airport.
HNTB will work with SBCTA to procure, select, and oversee a design, build, operate and maintain – known as DBOM – developer for the project. This unique project will connect the airport with the Rancho Cucamonga station area via a 6.4km (4-mile) long tunnel that moves passengers using autonomous vehicle technology.
The project is expected to get underway in the third quarter of this year. Completion is expected within 48 months.
“The Ontario Airport Loop project is a transformational project for our region that will improve mobility, reduce traffic congestion and have a significant positive impact on the environment for our residents as ONT continues to grow,” said Carrie Schindler, SBCTA director of transit and rail. “Total cost will be about $85M when adding an operations center, management services and paying operators prevailing wages.”
“This is 15 times less than a $1 to $1.5bn surface rail extension from the Metrolink San Bernardino Line, or other alternatives considered, and could be built in four years rather than the 10 years it would take to fund and extend a more traditional connection.” added Schindler. Implementation of this project will transform the station into a multimodal regional hub. It will connect the future Brightline passenger rail service to Las Vegas via Metrolink from the City of Los Angeles, while offering services for travelers to get to Ontario Airport as well.
“The concept of moving people in more efficient and cost-effective ways — while optimizing fixed infrastructure costs and deploying emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles — is the future of mobility services in the United States,” said Ian Choudri, HNTB project manager and senior vice president. “When completed, the project will transform the San Bernardino region by reducing congestion, improving the environment and attracting more businesses and airline traffic to Ontario Airport. At the same time, this project will set a gold standard for the country to refer to and deploy similar systems to improve quality of life for residents.”
About Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 21 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 67 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com.
Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)
The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).
January 21, 2021
(Ontario, California – January 21, 2021) – The leading trade organization for airports worldwide has recognized Ontario International Airport (ONT) for measures taken to protect the health and safety of air travelers, employees and visitors in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, an important distinction as the Southern California gateway looks toward recovery in the months ahead.
In bestowing The Airport Health Accreditation, Montreal-based Airports Council International (ACI) World said ONT has “shown that it is providing a safe airport experience for all travelers which is in line with recommended health measures” and will “help reassure the travelling public that [ONT] facilities remain safe and that precautions are being taken to reduce any risk to their health.”
“While the global pandemic led to a sudden and severe decline in air travel, there were no idle moments for us at Ontario International Airport,” said Mark Thorpe, the airport authority’s chief executive officer. “Immediately, we undertook an intense review of our facilities and adopted practices and procedures to enhance the safety of air passengers, employees and all other guests. We were intent on making the customer experience even better and making all feel safe in our airport, and the ACI recognition affirms our success so far in our effort to do so.”
In the days and weeks following the onset of the pandemic, ONT officials moved quickly to:
- Increase the frequency and intensity of cleanings of restrooms and other public areas of passenger facilities, with handrails, door handles, arm rests, counter tops and other common surfaces as focal points for high-powered disinfectants.
- Install hand sanitizing stations throughout passenger terminals and other airfield facilities.
- Incorporate floor markings and signage to promote social distancing.
- Expand the use of passenger screening trays treated with powerful antimicrobial technology to inhibit the growth of bacteria on the surface of the bins used by travelers at TSA checkpoints.
- Update sick leave and telecommuting policies to provide flexibility for employees and reassure any who might become ill or need to care for family at home.
Ontario Airport also added self-serve kiosks of personal protective supplies in passenger terminals and a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on Parking Lot 3 which is available to travelers and neighbors alike.
“Safety is our No. 1 priority. We are honored by this recognition and remain steadfast in our efforts to keep our airport free of harmful bacteria and viruses and promote the security of all who travel through and work in our facilities,” said Alan D. Wapner, President of the Ontario International Airport Authority board of commissioners. “We continue to work hand-in-hand with air carriers, concessionaires and other business partners to adapt our airport operations to changing circumstances and ensure all customers, employees and visitors feel safe.”
The Airport Health Accreditation is the second ACI honor earned by ONT in the past year. Last summer, the trade association recognized ONT with its Customer Service Experience Accreditation for its ability to identify and understand the needs and expectations of airline passengers and airport visitors, all the while enhancing the customer service experience. The ONT announcement is here.
Ontario Airport is experiencing the fastest pandemic recovery among airports in California and the third-fastest among U.S. airports. It was the fastest growing airport in the U.S. by passenger volume in 2018 and 2019.
About Ontario International Airport (ONT)
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport with nonstop commercial jet service to 21 major airports in the U.S., Mexico and Taiwan, and connecting service to many domestic and international destinations. There is an average of 67 daily departures offered by nine air carriers. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com.
Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)
The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Council Member Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Council Member Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).
ONT capitalizes on e-commerce and expanding freight capacity
January 18, 2021
(Ontario, California – January 18, 2021) – After seeing more than 50% fewer passengers in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ontario International Airport experienced a silver lining in the form of a near 20% increase in commercial freight.