Construction began in February 2015 to “create a world-class traveling experience” for airport visitors at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
Construction began in February 2015 to “create a world-class traveling experience” for airport visitors at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
Construction began in February 2015 to “create a world-class traveling experience” for airport visitors at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
Sky Harbor serves nearly 40 million passengers every year. To keep pace with growth in the area, the airport will reportedly need more terminal space and parking, better roads, airfield improvements and options for moving people and airplanes around the airport more quickly.
Upcoming improvements to Sky Harbor are often referred to as the Airport Development Plan.
As part of this plan, the Terminal 3 Modernization Program will enhance the customer experience for travelers by providing a more efficient way of getting through the terminal. It is planned as three distinct components to maximize flexibility and minimize impact to travelers.
The project is scheduled to be complete by 2020, and work will be done in three phases. Major attributes of the program include a consolidated security checkpoint, additional ticket counters, additional baggage processing capacity, additional baggage claim carousels, new and expanded food concessions and retail, additional gates as needed, and expanded curb for drop-off and pickup
According to Heather Lissner, acting public information manager of the City of Phoenix — Aviation Department:
• Phase 1, the Terminal Processor phase, will create a larger security checkpoint to help travelers get to their gates faster and a modernized, expanded airline ticket counter space to make check-in more convenient. The terminal will receive overhauled HVAC systems, vertical circulation systems, and new finishes in the interior and exterior.
• Phase 2, the South Concourse component, will create a new south concourse with 15 gates for passenger travel after the current concourse is razed. Additional gates built at this concourse will enable the closure of Terminal Two to airline operations. Major improvements in this area will include new food and retail concessions, large airline hold rooms and new customer amenities.
• Phase 3 will involve terminal passenger flow reconfiguration and concessions enhancement. It will provide an upgraded customer experience for passengers using the north concourse, including food and beverage opportunities and enhanced customer amenities with new interior and exterior finishes.
The entire program represents an approximate cost of $590 million, which will reportedly be financed through airport revenues such as parking, concessions and tenant fees. No local tax dollars will be used.
The contract was awarded to HuntAustin Joint Venture (HAJV).
“Every airport construction project carries challenges unique unto themselves,” said TG Mason, project director of HuntAustin Joint Venture. “Airport renovations such as Sky Harbor's Terminal 3 improvement require extensive planning and ongoing coordination. The project will be completed in phases to ensure the least amount of disruptions to customers. Additionally, a team with various experience in airport construction is crucial to the success of these types of projects.”
Mason explained that Terminal 3 is a design-build project.
“Although design-build is surging in popularity, it differs from the traditional design-bid-build delivery method,” he said. “In the design-build process, work flow becomes integrated between designers and contractors serving the client from initial conception to completion. The project team is working on a new open floor plan with glass enclosed walls and skylights that show amazing views of our beautiful vistas.”
According to Mason, mechanical and electrical equipment is a large part of the project. A new central plant is being built to supply air conditioning. New passenger boarding bridges and related support equipment will be provided. The program entails updating/expanding systems such as fire protection, security systems, fueling systems and finishes.
“Every subcontractor working at Terminal 3 plays an important role in the overall success of the project,” Mason said.
The larger subcontractors currently involved thus far include BCS Inc. for demolition, Cannon and Wendt for electrical, DSI for mechanical, W.J. Mahoney for plumbing, Aero Fire Protection, Able Steel and Kovach for the building enclosure.
“There is still a lot of bidding and procurement to take place,” Mason said. “These contractors are only involved with the processor component thus far. HuntAustin Joint Venture will still put out future bid packages for the North and South Concourses.”
The city of Phoenix owns and operates the Phoenix Airport System, which consists of Sky Harbor International Airport, Deer Valley and Goodyear airports.
About Phoenix Sky Harbor
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is known as “America's Friendliest Airport.” It is one of the 10 busiest in the nation for passenger traffic, with a $79 million daily economic impact. It covers 3,000 acres.
A typical day includes more than 1,200 aircraft arriving and departing, with more than 100,000 passengers.
The airport was purchased by the city of Phoenix in July of 1935 for $100,000. The city paid $35,300 in cash and took out a $64,700 mortgage.
Terminal 1 was the first “modern” terminal built. It was completed in October 1952 and cost $853,000. Terminal 1 was demolished in 1990, but the other terminals were never renumbered.
Terminal 2 was completed in 1962 at a cost of $2.7 million. Its size is 330,000 sq. ft. (30,658 sq m).
Terminal 3 is 880,000 sq. ft. (81,755 sq m) in size and was completed in 1979. The cost of Terminal 3 was $35 million.
Terminal 4 opened in 1990 at a cost of $248 million. It measures 3.9 million sq. ft. (362,322 sq m) in size.
Sky Harbor has three runways. The North Runway is 11,490 ft. (3,502 m) long and 150 ft. (46 m) wide, Center Runway is 10,300 ft. (3,139 m) long and 150 ft. wide and the South Runway is 7,800 ft. (2,377 m) long and 150 ft. wide.
(This story also can be found on Construction Equipment Guide's Web site at www.constructionequipmentguide.com.) CEG
Brenda Ruggiero
Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.
Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.
Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.
Read more from Brenda Ruggiero here.
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