The public is invited to sign what will be the final beam of construction for the new Columbia Regional Airport terminal.

Anyone interested can sign the beam at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, followed by a ceremony at 2 p.m. at the airport, 11400 S. Airport Dr., according to a city news release. Work on the terminal is slated to be complete by summer of 2022.

The topping-off ceremony is an important symbol of progress, city manager John Glascock stated in the release.

"This ceremony will allow people to be a part of Columbia's history," Glascock said. "The airport's runway extension and new terminal mark our entire region's growth and ability to experience and travel the world."

Columbia Mayor Brian Treece, Jefferson City Mayor Carrie Tergin and other mid- Missouri officials are scheduled to speak at the event.

The event was originally scheduled for Oct. 29 but was postponed due to weather.

"This event will be an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the highly anticipated improvements at COU, and we invite everyone to take part," Glascock said.

©2021 www.columbiatribune.com. Visit columbiatribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.