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Project News
News articles, press releases, and project updates are posted here. Check back often for recent news and updates as MRY continues its transformation.
Monterey Regional Airport Earns Envision Verified for Commercial Apron Project
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) in California has earned its first Envision Verified recognition for the Monterey Commercial Apron project, reflecting a deliberate focus on sustainability and resilience throughout project planning, design, and construction. This project represents a key component of a multi-year Safety Enhancement Program, which included construction of a new general aviation apron, relocation of the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting facility, and ultimately construction of a new terminal building with parking
Work underway on Monterey airport access road roundabout
CONSTRUCTION CREWS this week started building a $4 million roundabout at the entrance to Monterey Regional Airport, a feature that will be completed this summer and is expected to make the Olmsted-Garden Road intersection safer. The traffic circle is part of a multiphase program to enhance safety and improve the facilities at the airport that also include the construction of a 62,000-square-foot passenger terminal.
Monterey Regional Airport’s ‘metamorphosis’ project is underway.
Although it is currently just planes of leveled dirt – marked off by concrete retaining walls and divided by shallow channels and square depressions with jutting rebar – the future site of Monterey Regional Airport’s new terminal is beginning to take shape. The replacement terminal, which broke ground in June 2025, is part of the phased project known as the Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) Metamorphosis,
Work on roundabout at Olmsted, Garden roads to begin Monday in Monterey
MONTEREY – The construction of a roundabout at Olmsted and Garden roads in Monterey will begin next week as part of a new roadway system to the new replacement terminal being built at the Monterey Regional Airport and part of its Metamorphosis Safety Enhancement Program. Construction at the Monterey Regional Airport entrance will begin Monday and is expected to last about 18 weeks.
Monterey Regional Airport to Begin Constructing Roundabout at Airport Roadway Entrance
18-Week Phased Project Will Prioritize Safety and Minimal Impacts to Motorists and Airport Travelers
MONTEREY, CA, February 26, 2026 – Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) continues to make important progress in its MRY Metamorphosis Safety Enhancement Program. Constructing a new roadway system leading to the replacement passenger terminal includes a roundabout at the airport roadway entrance and will begin on March 2, 2026.
Monterey Regional Sets Passenger Record, Secures ‘A-/A-2’ Rating for Terminal Financing
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) recorded its highest annual passenger total in 2025 and secured a favorable credit rating tied to financing for a new passenger terminal, marking a milestone year as the airport approaches its 85th anniversary. The airport served 659,867 arriving and departing passengers in 2025, a 6.3 percent increase over 2024 and the highest annual total in its history.
Monterey Regional Airport director outlines terminal replacement, new routes and $200M safety program
Monterey Regional Airport Executive Director Christine Morello told the Seaside City Council on Nov. 6 that the airport is in the middle of a multi-year Safety Enhancement program and is building a replacement terminal intended to improve safety, accessibility and passenger circulation. Morello said the airport — a special district created in 1941 and independent from city or county governments — generates operational
Monterey Regional Airport gets new $25M grant for replacement terminal
MONTEREY – The Monterey Regional Airport is receiving $25.13 million in new federal funding for construction of its replacement passenger terminal which officially broke ground in June. “The estimated cost of the replacement passenger terminal is still approximately $98 million,” said Monterey Regional Airport Interim Executive
Padilla, Schiff Announce Another $168 Million to Strengthen Airport Infrastructure Across California
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) announced that 46 California airports were awarded a combined $168.85 million in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to bolster aviation infrastructure. The funding comes through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP),
Rep. Panetta secures $5M more for Monterey Regional Airport terminal
MONTEREY – A new federal grant, for more than $5 million, has been secured for the construction of the new passenger terminal at the Monterey Regional Airport by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley. The funding, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law in 2021, will support phase…
Panetta Secures New Federal Funding for Monterey Regional Airport Modernization
Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced a new $5,353,204 federal grant for the Monterey Regional Airport to continue construction on its new state-of-the-art terminal. The funding, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will support…
Airport District Breaks Ground on $200 Million Project to Elevate Safe Travel
The Monterey Peninsula Airport District hosted a momentous groundbreaking ceremony at the Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) to mark the building of a completely new passenger terminal. This $200 million project will elevate and improve travel to and from California’s Central Coast for both locals and visitors alike.
New terminal set to transform Monterey Regional Airport
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) —Big changes are coming to the Monterey Regional Airport. Friday, airport officials broke ground on a major new terminal project that’s expected to modernize the travel experience boost safety and support tourism and growth in the region.
Monterey Regional Airport begins construction on new terminal
MONTEREY, Calif. — Monterey Regional Airport is breaking ground on a new passenger terminal to improve safety and facilitate easier movement for passengers and visitors throughout the building. “It will be a modern facility. It will actually function as a passenger terminal building because that’s how it was designed. The beauty in
Monterey Regional Airport breaks ground on its long-awaited terminal project
In his final action as Monterey Regional Airport’s executive director, Mike La Pier climbed aboard Graniterock’s loader and scooped up a load of dirt, raised it high in the air and tilted the bucket downward, sending the dirt tumbling to the ground. It was a “Mike drop”—as joked by Interim Executive Director Chris Morello—on a 44-year
Monterey Regional Airport Breaks Ground on a Replacement Passenger Terminal
The New, Modern, and Accessible Terminal Will Transform How Monterey Area Residents and Visitors Travel Beginning in 2027
MONTEREY, CA, June 6, 2025 – The Monterey Peninsula Airport District, operator of Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), and partners broke ground today on a replacement passenger terminal, marking the first step in elevating the experience for travelers, airport employees, and other users.
Hensel Phelps Selected to Build MRY’s Replacement Terminal
The Next Phase in the MRY Metamorphosis to Transform and Elevate the Traveler Experience
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, February 24, 2025 – Monterey Peninsula Airport District, operator of Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), announced today its Board of Directors selected Hensel Phelps Construction Company to build the airport’s replacement passenger terminal, the next development in the MRY Metamorphosis Safety Enhancement Program.
Rep. Panetta Announces New Federal Investment to Further Modernize Monterey Regional Airport
Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced a new federal investment to support Monterey Regional Airport’s initial phase of terminal construction. Rep. Panetta secured $14.2 million through the Airport Terminal Program (ATP) to fund the construction and replacement of a 70-year-old terminal, including the relocation of a LEED Platinum-certified terminal, improved internal airport access, and enhanced landside road access.
Rep. Panetta Secures Federal Funding to Modernize Monterey Airport
Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19)announced more than $37 million in new federal funding to modernize the Monterey Airport. The federal grants, awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program, will support the modernization of the Monterey Airport including funding for new terminal work, runway and tarmac improvements, and new aircraft rescue and firefighting equipment. This year, the Airport Improvement Program has invested more than $1.1 billion in airport infrastructure projects around the country.
Monterey Regional Airport’s Long-Term Parking Lot Is Moving
Relocated Long-Term Parking Lot Opens on June 14; Same Number of Parking Spaces and Footsteps to the Terminal
MONTEREY, CA, June 6, 2024 – Monterey Regional Airport’s (MRY) Long-Term Parking Lot is on the move! Effective Friday, June 14th at 3:00 AM, MRY will open a relocated Long-Term Parking Lot to make way for constructing new airport safety enhancement projects.
Monterey Regional Airport Awarded Two Federal Grants Totaling $25 Million to Improve Airport Infrastructure
MONTEREY, CA, September 15, 2023 – The Monterey Regional Airport was awarded two grants totaling $25 million to support enhancements to the airport through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced the federal grants, which were made possible through a $22 million Federal Aviation Administration’s AIP grant to support improvements to the airport’s tarmac and terminal and $3 million from the Infrastructure Act for passenger terminal design.
Rep. Jimmy Panetta Announces Significant Federal Funding to Enhance Monterey Regional Airport
Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced $25 million in federal funding to support enhancements to Monterey Regional Airport. Support was made possible through a fee-funded Federal Aviation Administration grant and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Monterey Regional Airport was awarded a $22 million grant through the Airport Improvement Program to support improvements to the airport’s tarmac and terminal. Additionally, a $3 million grant directly through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will support passenger terminal design.
Monterey Regional Airport Announces Grants Totaling $4.2 Million for Design and Construction of New Terminal Building
MONTEREY, CA. (Dec. 26, 2022) — With a $2.14 million grant from the Department of Transportation received in late November, the Monterey Regional Airport now has $4.2 million toward the design and construction of a new airport terminal.
The funds are from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill for Federal Fiscal Year 2023, along with another $2.14 million grant from the same piece of legislation from Fiscal Year 2022.