Friday, February 23, 2024
Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) declared that the Port of Oakland, overseeing operations at Oakland International Airport (OAK), is set to receive a $10 million investment for its project. This funding will kickstart Phase 1 of the airport’s ambitious Terminal Restroom Renovation Program, aimed at enhancing OAK’s restroom facilities. The initiative, supported by a grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s 2024 Airport Terminal Program as announced by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, seeks to introduce gender-neutral restrooms, incorporate a lactation suite, and upgrade the overall aesthetic and functionality of the restrooms.
“We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Senators Alex Padilla and Laphonza Butler, and Congressmembers Barbara Lee, Eric Swalwell, Mark DeSaulnier, John Garamendi, Mike Thompson and Jared Huffman. They advocated for this FAA funding to improve some of our legacy passenger-serving amenities,” said Port of Oakland Interim Director of Aviation Craig Simon. “We deeply appreciate their support. These upgrades will allow us to provide a better experience at our airport for the traveling public.”
This comprehensive renovation effort, expected to unfold over several years, will not only make the restrooms more inclusive but also more sustainable, thanks to the installation of new fixtures that are both high-efficiency and low water-use. The initial phase of this program involves various updates, including the reopening of a previously closed women’s restroom at Gate 4, improvements to the men’s restroom at Gate 3, and the transformation of an existing men’s restroom at Gate 7 into single-user gender-neutral/family restrooms, alongside the addition of a lactation suite. The initial phase is expected to reach completion by the middle of 2025.
OAK is excited to enhance its commitment to accommodating family needs, with the introduction of a lactation suite offering a discreet area for nursing mothers. This addition is part of the airport’s broader goal to facilitate a more comfortable and convenient travel experience for families.
As the renovation gets underway later this year, the Port of Oakland anticipates a fruitful partnership with both state and federal entities to further improve OAK’s passenger facilities. Congressmembers Lee and DeSaulnier have expressed their support, noting that these upgrades will not only meet the growing passenger demand but also improve accessibility for those with disabilities and advance OAK’s sustainability objectives.
Thursday, February 22, 2024
