WSP to play key role in expansion of ATL’s Concourse D

The long-awaited $1.4 billion expansion of Concourse D at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has begun, and US Transportation Secretary, Pete Buttigieg, was among the dignitaries on site to mark the occasion.

WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms, is serving as programme manager for the project, providing support for an innovative modular construction plan at the world’s busiest airport.

“This $1.4 billion project is one of many planned at Hartsfield-Jackson in the coming years and is aimed at increasing the 44-year-old Concourse D’s footprint, widening it from 60 feet to 99 feet and extending its overall length by 288 feet,” revealed Todd McClendon, senior vice president of aviation at WSP and area director responsible for several ATLNext Capital Improvement Program projects.

WSP is serving as project manager for the Concourse D project on behalf of the client, the City of Atlanta’s Department of Aviation.

In this role, WSP, along with joint venture partners HJ Russell & Company and Turner & Townsend Heery, provides multiple services, including programme management, project management support, sustainability management, design management, project controls, contract administration, document control, invoice compliance, contracts, finance, design reviews and supplier diversity outreach, and monitoring and reporting.

“The terminal expansion is a combination of modular construction and traditional construction,” said Edmund Ramos, vice president project management at WSP and deputy Concourse D project director.

“We saw a real efficiency in building the modules on a remote site at the airport, while, at the same time, working on the needed foundation and utility relocation works at the concourse.”

A total of 19 modules will be set in place as part of a multi-phased construction schedule. This method, notes WSP, will keep as many gates open as possible during construction.

“No one else [in the US] has done what we are doing – a project of this scale combining modular and typical stick build construction while keeping a concourse operational. It’s a total team effort,” said Chris Rogers, senior vice president aviation engineering at WSP and program manager for the Atlanta airport ATLNext Capital Improvement Program.

Design started in April 2022 and underground utility enabling work began in November 2023. Work on the modules began in January 2024.

Construction mandates from the airport and airlines required Concourse D remain operational with a limited number of gates taken out of service to minimize revenue impacts. The module concept meets these requirements.

When completed, Concourse D will have 34 aircraft designed Group III gates that accommodate larger aircraft and provides 20% more seating at peak period.