Blasting slated at Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus site

A blast is scheduled for noon Wednesday as part of development of the Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Campus.

It may be heard but won’t be seen, as people won’t be permitted access to the blast area, nor will there be any viewing areas, according to an Allegheny County Airport Authority news release.

There will be an audible public alert during the blast sequence in which a warning signal will be sounded prior to detonation with another signal sounded for “all clear” following inspection of the blast area, according to the airport authority.

Surrounding areas are expected to hear little to no sound from the blasting process itself, the airport authority said.

Vehicular traffic exiting the airport will be halted for about five minutes during the sequence. Blasting could occur up to four days in total, weather permitting. It is expected to take place around noon each day with similar traffic restrictions.

The Airport Innovation Campus is a 195-acre parcel west of the Landside Terminal that will feature office space, research and development laboratories, and industrial manufacturing, as well as a town center with a long-range plan of connecting to the terminal, according to the airport authority.

The blasting is for rock excavation for the site.

The three-phase construction plan includes up to 16 pad-ready sites available by 2023, and is modeled after the Schiphol development at Amsterdam International Airport.