PCL, NORR-DIALOG win $1.5-billion Toronto airport overhaul

Key Takeaways

• Toronto Pearson has awarded a $1.5-billion contract to NORR-DIALOG (Design) and PCL Construction (Construction Manager at Risk) to modernize Terminals 1 and 3.
• Upgrades will target passenger flow, including modernized check-in areas, high-throughput security screening, customs facilities, and refreshed terminal lounges.
• Construction will be executed in staged phases to keep Canada’s busiest airport operating 24/7 without flight or passenger disruptions.
• The revitalization is designed to support 7 million additional annual passengers by 2031, preparing the airport for a long-term goal of 65 million annual travelers.

The Whole Story:

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) has officially awarded a $1.5-billion contract to launch the Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 Revitalization Program at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Design and architecture will be led by NORR-DIALOG—a joint venture between Ontario-based design firms NORR and DIALOG—while PCL Construction will serve as the Construction Manager at Risk to manage complex on-site execution.

The major modernization drive marks the second phase of “Pearson LIFT” (Long-term Investment in Facilities and Terminals), a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure initiative. The project follows a $3-billion investment in airside and baggage logistics launched earlier this year. Engineered to expand overall facility capacity and streamline passenger processing, the program includes expanded terminal footprints, modernized check-in zones, advanced security screening, updated customs facilities, and refreshed airline lounges.

To prevent travel disruptions at Canada’s busiest airport, construction will be phased carefully in a live 24/7 operating environment. The upgrades will support up to seven million additional annual travelers by 2031, positioning Pearson to accommodate long-term demand of up to 65 million passengers.

“Toronto Pearson, one of Canada’s most important national infrastructure assets, serves as a vital gateway connecting people, products, and businesses to the world,” said Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson. “This investment marks another significant milestone in Pearson LIFT and demonstrates our momentum in modernizing Pearson that will meet customer expectations. We’re elevating the travel experience so Toronto Pearson can continue its part in fueling Canada’s economy by welcoming more passenger growth and offering better customer experience.”

PCL Constructors Canada Vice President Monique Buckberger emphasized the operational focus required for the build, noting that delivering the project in a live, 24/7 operating airport environment makes maintaining safe and uninterrupted operations for passengers, airlines, and airport partners critical. She added that PCL’s primary focus will be executing carefully phased construction that keeps the airport operating efficiently while minimizing impacts for passengers and the broader airport community.

The Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 revitalization project serves as a cornerstone within the broader, multi-billion-dollar Pearson LIFT strategy, an ambitious decade-long initiative designed to modernize Canada’s largest transportation hub. The overall transformation is divided into distinct execution phases aimed at scaling the airport’s infrastructure from its current capacity up to 65 million annual travelers by the early 2030s.

The first phase, which broke ground earlier in 2026 under a $3-billion capital commitment, focuses on essential airside upgrades, high-speed airfield taxiways, and automated subsurface baggage network technologies.

This newly awarded $1.5-billion second phase shifts the focus directly to the passenger experience inside the terminal buildings. Led by PCL Construction and the NORR-DIALOG design team, the program will modernize aging infrastructure across both Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Key improvements include expanding physical terminal spaces, upgrading customs and border processing zones, installing high-throughput security screening lanes, adding in-terminal device charging stations, and renovating airline lounges to ensure a seamless flow from the curb to the gate.

Looking ahead, future phases of the LIFT framework—such as the planned “Gateway” expansion—will add brand-new terminal floor space to accommodate an additional 15 million passengers per year, completing the airport’s long-term master plan.