Here’s hoping. Propelled by post-COVID travel zest, federal funding investments, and maybe even the sheer need to elevate our travel infrastructure, airport builds are going strong across the country. In fact, most states have at least one project in action to accommodate more people, more efficiently, and more sustainably.
Easier, Safer and Maybe More Fun…
As funding continues to be awarded for airport modernization, public leaders point out: “We are doing more to improve the travel experience than ever before, from expanding consumer protections to modernizing the physical infrastructure … .These investments… will make it easier for passengers to get to and through airports, create jobs, and increase safety for all.” Indeed, federal funding has resulted in ambitious work at airports in at least 44 states: “…Some receiving new/expanded terminal facilities, other projects focusing on improving passenger experience, additional jobs will improve access, roadways, and transportation, some work will refurbish traffic control towers, several projects aim to increase terminal sustainability, and a final focus is on improving airport access to smaller communities….”
The most ambitious effort (or at least the most expensive) is likely at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, where an “eye-popping $19 billion makeover” is underway. There’s plenty of action, and big contracts underway in every region, though, and at Construction Dive, Julie Strupp shares airport construction highlights for Cleveland’s Hopkins Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and Southwest Florida International Airport:
- Hopkins Airport is overhauling its infrastructure and passenger facilities in multiple phases with expanded ticketing and passenger gate areas, improved security checkpoints and more parking, plus new concourses and a relocated rental car facility. Work will kick off soon with renovations at a nearby building to create office and storage space…
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: The airport is planning a multiphase overhaul of its facilities in order to meet the needs of a growing region, including a new 20-gate concourse, a new arrivals and departures hall, airfield improvements and infrastructure upgrades. At the end of September, the Austin City Council greenlit over $1 billion worth of construction contracts at Austin-Bergstrom.
- Southwest Florida International Airport is building a new terminal, named Concourse E, that includes 14 gates plus room for another five, a new TSA checkpoint, an upgraded baggage handling system and expanded retail spaces. The project also includes upgrades to taxiways and utilities.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides a map of all the airport builds currently underway across the country. Many are very ambitious in their efforts to address both functionality and sustainability. For example, plans for the $3 billion reconfiguration of Lambert international Airport in St Louis involve: “A single, consolidated terminal with 62 gates — up from the current 54 gates across two terminals — that has 60% more concession and retail space and 6,000 more parking spaces. The airport’s 12 signatory airlines have agreed to fund 75% or more of $332 million in projects to free up space for the proposed airport expansion.” (On a side note, travelers passing through Lambert International can enjoy a local brew at USA Today’s top pick for best airport bar. Indeed, amenities of all kinds are high on the list for airports as they modernize, though so far, no U.S. airport is offering an amenity like Tokyo’s soak in a natural hot spring.)
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