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Costly airport overhauls are taking off across the country, fueled by a recovery from the drop in travel from COVID-19 as well as federal funds from the Employment and Infrastructure Investment Act.
Current projects underway range from multi-million dollar improvements to John F. Kennedy International Airport astonishing $19 billion makeover in New York City. Below, Construction Dive rounds up some of the biggest efforts to watch, with price tags starting at $1 billion.
Here are five notable airport projects, in various stages of construction:
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
Cost: $3 billion
Place: Cleveland
Hopkins Airport is overhauling its infrastructure and passenger facilities in several phases with expanded ticketing and passenger gate areas, improved security checkpoints and more parking, in addition to new concourses and a relocated car rental facility. Work will begin soon with renovations in a nearby building to create office and storage space, according to Cleveland Magazine.
Dallas-based AECOM is the airport master plan consultant, while Fort Worth, Texas-based Paslay Group is providing executive program management services. Construction on the main airport will begin in 2025 and take about a decade to complete, according to Cleveland Magazine.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Cost: $2 billion
Location: Austin, Texas
The airport is planning a multi-phase overhaul of its facilities to meet the needs of a growing region, including a new 20-gate concourse, a new arrivals and departures hall, airfield improvements and infrastructure improvements. In late September, the Austin City Council gave the green light to more than $1 billion in construction contracts at Austin-Bergstrom.
Greeley, Colo.-based Hensel Phelps to build $1.03 billion airport Hall B and tunnel projectaccording to a September 26 press release from the airport. The city also proposed an $820 million contract to Austin Commercial LP of Dallas for pre-construction and construction services for the downtown core. Arrivals and Departures Hall Projectas well as a $45 million design contract for New York City architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, according to KXAN. The new lobby and hall are scheduled to be completed in 2030.
Hollywood Burbank Airport
Cost: $1.3 billion
Location: Burbank, California
The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority is building a replacement terminal that will have 14 doors as well as a new TSA checkpoint and baggage claim. The project will resolve long-standing safety and accessibility issues with the current terminal, according to a press release from the authority.
The design-build team is a joint venture between Atlanta-based Holder Construction, Pasadena, Calif.-based Pankow Builders and British firm TEC Construction. Dallas-based Corgan is providing architectural services for the project along with New York City-based CannonDesign. Dallas-based Jacobs is managing the project. The project broke ground in January and is on track to open in October 2026, according to the authority.
Norfolk International Airport
Cost: $1 billion
Location: Norfolk, Virginia
The Norfolk Airport opened in its $1 billion improvement program in June. It is building three new gates and a new US Customs inspection facility to screen passengers and also plans to improve baggage handling, shipping and receiving areas and the fuel farm and build an administrative building . The most significant element is a new departures building.
Newport News, Virginia-based WM Jordan Co. is building the new gates and customs facility, which is expected to cost about $60 million. Wisconsin-based Antigo Construction is handling Phase 2 of the 05/23 runway improvements. Work has begun on these items, but others do not yet have a timetable.
Southwest Florida International Airport
Cost: $1 billion
Location: Fort Myers, Florida
The Southwest Florida airport is building a new terminalcalled Concourse E, which includes 14 gates plus room for five more, a new TSA checkpoint, an improved baggage handling system and expanded retail space. The project also includes improvements to taxiways and public services. The goal of the Phase 2 expansion is to increase capacity and amenities options for passengers, as well as improve airport efficiency, according to the project’s website.
The Canadian company AtkinsRéalis, formerly SNC-Lavalin Group, is design and construction administration services Work began on October 1 and will take about three years to complete.
