LOWER TOWNSHIP, NJ – Today, Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) representatives joined with Cape May County and Lower Township elected officials to break ground on a new terminal building at the Cape May Airport.  The total cost of the project is estimated to be $7.4 million, and Cape May County is providing approximately $250,000 directly in support of the terminal, with additional funds committed to roadway and parking enhancements in the immediate vicinity.  The project is expected to be substantially complete in the first quarter of 2024. 

Members of area chambers of commerce and airport tenants joined with elected officials and DRBA representatives for the ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of this important new building.  

“We’re excited to celebrate the start of construction on this important new building,” said Thomas J. Cook, DRBA Executive Director.  “The Authority has a great working relationship with both County officials and Lower Township leaders that’s focused on transforming and modernizing the airport.  Our collective efforts are producing results that will pay dividends for Airport customers and Cape May County residents for many years to come.”

The new 5,400 SF terminal building, which will contain offices, meeting space, aviation customer support spaces, and public lobby space, is strategically positioned at the junction of Hornet Road and Forrestal Road on the airport apron.  When completed, fixed based operations (FBO), fueling and other aviation related functions will be centrally located at the airport.

“The Board of County Commissioners is excited to see the start of the terminal building project,” remarked Cape May County Commission Director Len Desiderio.  “We are proud of the relationship we have developed with the Delaware River and Bay Authority and the continued improvements being made at the Cape May Airport. We thank the DRBA for taking the lead in this project and appreciate their partnership with Cape May County.”

“The time, effort, and collaborative spirit the DRBA and County team members have dedicated to bringing this needed and impressive project to fruition is deeply appreciated,” said Cape May County Commissioner Will Morey.  “Our thanks to them for the many years of planning and hard work invested to make it possible.”

“It’s a great day in the history of aviation at the Cape May Airport,” said Peter Eichleay, President and CEO of FlightLevel Aviation, the Fixed Based Operator (FBO) at the airport. “The DRBA and Cape May County have invested significant resources that have laid the foundation for businesses to succeed here.  This new terminal building is the latest example in the transformation of Cape May Airport and we can’t wait to have this new gateway facility open for our customers.” 

“The construction of this new terminal building continues to bring this airport well into the 21st century,” said Lower Township Mayor Frank Sippel.  “The partnership between the DRBA, Cape May County, and Lower Township is second to none.  I would like to thank the DRBA and County for all their hard work and investments as Lower Township is the gem of Cape May County.”

“The old terminal is antiquated and located far away from aviation related services,” said Stephen D. Williams, Deputy Executive Director for the DRBA.  “Cape May Airport needed a modern terminal building with FBO and fueling operations in close proximity to better serve the aviation community and that soon will become a reality.”  The current terminal building was a temporary structure built in 1941 and played a significant role in the country's early aviation history.  Currently, the building has outlived its usefulness and it is time to upgrade the terminal building and bring it to its full potential to serve the aviation community.   

The project also included the demolition of two hangars and related hazardous material abatement, new vehicle and pedestrian access gates, asphalt parking lot, exterior lighting, building signage, hardscaping, utility tie-ins, stormwater mitigation, and landscaping.   Late last year, Arthur J. Ogren, Inc. of Vineland, New Jersey was hired to construct the new airport terminal building on Hornet Road at Cape May Airport.  The consulting engineer and architectural firms are C&S Engineers of Philadelphia, PA and Fennick McCreddie of Boston, MA respectively.  

About the Delaware River and Bay Authority
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing.  The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers - two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (Wilmington Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities.  For more information, visit www.drba.net