Mass Timber Takes Flight

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Union Carpenters Bring Innovation and Safety to MSP Terminal 2 Expansion.

A major transformation is underway at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport’s Terminal 2, where union carpenters are playing a central role in a $220 million expansion project. The project includes two new gates (H15 and H16), improved concessions and restrooms, upgraded infrastructure and a reconfiguration of gates H13 and H14. This is just the beginning.

Over the next decade, officials hope to double the size of Terminal 2, meeting the growing needs of air travelers while embracing innovative construction methods. At the heart of this expansion is cross-laminated timber (CLT), a renewable, low-carbon building material that is gaining popularity in large-scale construction due to its aesthetic look and impressive functionality. To meet the growing demand for mass timber in-large scale construction projects, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters (NCSRCC) and the Carpenters Training Institute (CTI) train members so they are ready for this work. The work is not new to the industry, but its use is growing rapidly.

The Carpenters Union is working closely with signatory contractors like J. Benson to make it happen. Morcon Construction Inc. is the general contractor for the Terminal 2 expansion, and J. Benson Construction was awarded a $4 million subcontract to handle the installation of the CLT panels. Every day, three semitrucks loaded with CLT panels make the journey from South Carolina to this Bloomington, MN jobsite, where Local 322 union carpenters carefully install them. The process includes fastening them with two nails every six inches and two screws every foot, ensuring structural integrity.

Austin Seidel (Local 322 – St. Paul, MN) is one of the foremen and has been on the job since mid-June. “This is my second time working with mass timber,” he shared. “We crane in the load, adjust it, set it down, and do the fine adjustments. Then, we screw them down to the beams. It’s pretty cool.”

Alivia Towers (Local 322 - St. Paul, MN) working with her crew on setting the timber,.

Safety remains a top priority on this job site and every worker is required to be tied off at all times while installing the CLT. From harnesses to retractables, lanyards to G-rings, there is no cutting corners.

Mike Mireault (Local 322 – St. Paul, MN), Director of Self-Performance for J. Benson said, “As a contractor, there’s probably $10,000 worth of safety equipment in our truck alone, but that’s the union difference. You just don’t see this kind of protection and safety protocols on non-union jobs.”

One of the newest members of the team, Alivia Towers (Local 322 – St. Paul, MN), is a fourth-year apprentice who has been with J. Benson for just a month but is already making a strong impression. “I love working for J. Benson,” she shared. “I used to do concrete work, but mass timber is really cool. This is my first time working with it and I love it. It looks nice, and there are unique challenges, but I enjoy it.”

Alivia’s experience on this project has been more than just hands-on learning. She claimed that it has been personally transformative. “This job has really helped me as a person. I feel empowered, and I want to do more, especially as a female in construction. Everyone here is so willing to help and answer questions. It’s a great team.”

The CLT installation is slated for completion by October 2025, with the overall Terminal 2 expansion expected to wrap up in 2027.