South Bend International Airport has cut the ribbon on its five-year, $105 million Taxiway Bravo Realignment and Ramp Reconstruction project.

The airport says the project represents a milestone that will improve safety, efficiency, and the airport’s ability to handle larger aircraft. Community leaders and aviation officials were on hand Tuesday to celebrate the project’s completion.

The airport says the upgrades were driven by safety and growth needs.

Taxiway Bravo was realigned with the ramp lowered about four feet, enabling mainline aircraft and larger regional jets to use any gate, which the airport says is a significant expansion from the two gates available before construction. The project also included a dedicated deicing pad for faster winter operations, 20 acres of reinforced concrete ramp space, 26 miles of new cables, and 475 upgraded airfield lights.

South Bend International Airport Director Mike Daigle says of the $105 million spent on the expansion project, $96 million came from the federal government, while the rest was from state and local sources.