Port of Oakland awarded $10 million to modernize restrooms at Oakland International Airport

Oakland, Calif.–February 22, 2024: Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the Port of Oakland, which operates Oakland International Airport (OAK), will be granted $10 million in project funding. The funds will be used for Phase 1 of the airport’s forthcoming Terminal Restroom Renovation Program, which will modernize OAK’s restrooms and add both gender-neutral facilities and a lactation suite. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced the grant funds allocated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s 2024 Airport Terminal Program.

“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.”

OAK is embarking on a multi-year Terminal Restroom Renovation Program. The program will add gender-neutral facilities, modernize facilities and finishes, and install new high efficiency, low water-use fixtures. The program will be implemented in phases. Phase 1 will include the restoration of a currently closed women’s restroom at Gate 4 and a refresh of the men’s restroom at Gate 3. There will also be a conversion of an existing men’s restroom at Gate 7 into single-user gender-neutral/family restrooms, as well as a lactation suite. Phase 1 completion is anticipated in mid-2025.

OAK is proud to strengthen its commitment to providing a family-friendly travel experience. The addition of a dedicated lactation suite will provide a private space for nursing mothers, supporting families and creating a more streamlined travel experience.

As Phase 1 begins later this year, the Port of Oakland is looking forward to ongoing collaboration with state and federal partners to continue offering better facilities to all OAK passengers. In their letter to the Secretary, Congressmembers Lee and DeSaulnier wrote: “These improvements have the potential to support increased passenger demand, provide access for individuals with disabilities, and help OAK achieve sustainability goals.”