BORN IN THE USA

Joe Bates takes a closer look at a handful of airport development projects making headlines in the US in the final quarter of 2018.

Skanska USA and LaGuardia Gateway Partners (LGP) are celebrating the completion of the new eastern concourse at , the first major milestone in the $5.1 billion transformation of the terminal into a world class facility.

Designed as a common-use facility to facilitate operational efficiency, the new Skanska built concourse features the first 11 of 35 new gates at Terminal B, spacious seating areas with charging stations throughout, soaring ceilings up to 55 feet in height and other architectural elements inspired by New York’s vibrancy and verticality.

“We take great pride in being a part of the development and construction of the new LaGuardia, which is as much about creating a world-class passenger experience as it is providing a model for responsible and sustainable infrastructure for years to come,” said Skanska USA president and CEO, Richard Kennedy.”

“The top-to-bottom rebuilding of one of the nation’s busiest airports, all while continuing to operate it around-the-clock, is one of most complex projects Skanska has ever led.”

The redevelopment of Terminal B by LGP – comprising Skanska, Vantage Airport Group, Meridiam and JLC Infrastructure – is the largest public-private partnership project in US aviation infrastructure history.

As part of the construction, Skanska’s inclusion of minority and women-owned (MWBE) businesses on the project represents the largest use of such firms to date on a single project in New York State history. Overall, the redevelopment of LaGuardia is anticipated to create a combined $10 billion in economic activity and $2.5 billion in wages over the life of the project.

“We are excited to have worked with our partners and so many sub-contractors to make the opening of the eastern concourse of Terminal B a reality,” noted Magnus Eriksson, executive vice president of Skanska and chair of the board of LaGuardia Gateway Partners.

“This collaborative effort, using innovative construction and design techniques is something that we are proud to bring to LaGuardia, and our project continues to have one of the largest Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) participation goals in the New York State.”

New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, called the opening a significant milestone in the transformation of LaGuardia Airport into a modern, global gateway that is worthy of the State of New York.

The next milestone for the new terminal is expected in 2020, when 100% of Terminal B passengers – nearly 15 million annually – will check in, pass through security screening and explore concessions in the new 820,000 square foot head house, under construction now.

When complete, the new Terminal B will include 1.3 million square feet of new space, as well as dual pedestrian bridges spanning active taxi lanes, a first in the world.

Elsewhere in the US, in November, the Hensel Phelps | Fentress Architects Progressive Design-Build Team was awarded the contract for the new $327 million expansion of the Terminal Lobby and International Arrivals Facility at Nashville International Airport (BNA).

The project is the final part of the gateway’s multi-phase BNA Vision programme and will lead to the creation of a centralised marketplace between the Terminal Lobby’s new security screening checkpoint and international flights to “optimise service and the amenities available to international and domestic passengers”.

The Terminal Lobby renovation will have a new wave roof canopy extending from the terminal garage to the International Arrivals Facility, ultimately providing coverage for roadway and kerbside access to the terminal and the new pedestrian walkway bridge.

The pedestrian bridge connects the central core with the garage plaza, administration building, and future hotel promoting efficient passenger traffic flow.

A new, expanded and consolidated security screening checkpoint will include additional lanes to minimise wait times and expedite the security screening process. Other major elements include new concessions, airline club space and gates serving international flights.

Kirk Hazen, Hensel Phelps’ vice president/district manager, says: “We understand that every great landmark starts with a vision, and it’s our job to bring the BNA Vision to life with a comprehensive team approach that begins with innovative planning and extends throughout the entire life of the project.

“We approach every project ‘The Hensel Phelps Way,’ inspiring trust and confidence in everything we do. From the gate where passengers arrive, to the belt where their bags are delivered, our team works to make construction invisible, allowing Nashville visitors a positive first impression to the city.”

Hensel Phelps Construction Company and Fentress Architects have also formed a design-build collaboration to work on the much-needed interim gates facility at Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).

According to the airport, the expansion will enhance flight scheduling flexibility, decrease delays, allow SJC to meet desired passenger service levels and support current operations and planned growth.

Connected to the Fentress-designed Terminal B on the south end, the budgeted $58 million facility will include five gates with passenger boarding bridges, a sixth gate position to be ground loaded, a 15,000-square-foot, 550-person hold room, and additional concession space.

Terminal B, completed in 2010 by the same team as part of SJC’s Terminal Area Improvement Program, was the first LEED Silver certified terminal in the United States.

Meanwhile construction of the new Salt Lake City International Airport has reached the halfway mark, with the Utah gateway’s planned $1.8 billion new terminal and South Concourse on schedule to open in 2020 as planned.

According to project architect HOK, the terminal will provide a new “uplifting travel experience” for passengers and a more flexible and operationally efficient facility for hub carrier Delta Air Lines to support the region’s growth.

It says that the design of the terminal will celebrate Utah’s natural beauty and reputation as an outdoor recreation hub as well as being built to last and withstand earthquakes.

Floor-to-ceiling glass is expected to provide expansive views of the airfield and iconic mountains in a move designed to create “an uplifting, cheerful ambiance”.

Finally, the Mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, and Holllywood actor, Danny Trejo, were among the guests of honour at November’s opening of the new-look Terminal 1 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

The half-billion dollar, kerb-to-gate redevelopment showcases a new check-in area featuring all-new self-service ticket kiosks, an efficient nine-lane security checkpoint, new area for baggage claim, and what LAX operator, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), describes as an exciting new dining and retail destinations with state-of-the-art design.

Completion of the Terminal 1 redevelopment comes as part of LAWA’s multi-billion dollar Capital Improvement Program, considered the largest public works programme in history for the City of Los Angeles.

The Terminal 1 renovation is part of an overall LAX modernisation programme, which includes an Automated People Mover – an elevated train expected to be completed by 2023 – and is expected ultimately to create more than 121,000 construction-related jobs

“Los Angeles is a city of dreamers and doers, and the reimagined Terminal 1 reflects the creativity at the heart of our great city,” said Mayor Garcetti.

“Working together with Southwest Airlines and our partners, what we have created is more than a terminal that connects passengers to flights – it’s a destination in its own right.”

The four-year, $516.7 million project created 3,475 construction jobs and completely refreshed the aging terminal, which was initially constructed in the early 1980s in advance of the 1984 Olympic Games.

The new and expanded Terminal 1 features a host of new dining and retail options that include local brands Urth Caffé, Cassell’s Hamburgers and Trejo’s Tacos courtesy of T1’s commercial manager, URW Airports.

“The new Terminal 1 reflects Los Angeles World Airports’ commitment to creating exceptional facilities and experiences for our guests,” enthused LAWA CEO, Deborah Flint. “The T1 modernisation has been a phenomenal effort by all partners at LAWA, Southwest, and URW Airports, and the results raise the bar for what guests can expect when they come to LAX.”

The same project team is also working on the construction of Terminal 1.5, a connecting structure between Terminals 1 and 2 that will further expand baggage claim areas and offer Southwest customers connectivity to the new LAX automated people mover.