NEW ORLEANS - Work on a new terminal at the Louis Armstrong International Airport will begin in early January. The $807 million project is being hailed as the most important construction job for the city since the Louisiana Superdome in 1975.

On Monday, the New Orleans Aviation Board approved final construction costs, and Mitch Landrieu signed a $598 million contract with Hunt-Gibbs-Boh-Metro, a construction manager.

The total cost amounts to $807 million when design and engineering, a new airport access road, a storm water pump station and other costs are included. 

The project is being funded primarily with general airport revenue bonds, which are ultimately paid for by the airlines operating at Armstrong, along with federal and state grants and capital funds.