Construction projects at Tampa International Airport have been sped up while air travel has slowed to a trickle.
The airport is pushing ahead with US$150m of essential projects to prepare Tampa for rapid future growth.
Due to passenger numbers, much of the construction work would ordinarily take place overnight in short windows to minimize disruption to passengers but work is now happening during the day with crews working for longer shifts.
Al Illustrato, executive vice president of facilities, Tampa International Airport, said, “With fewer guests in the terminal and on our campus, we’re able to get ahead and speed up work on critical elements to significantly reduce passenger impacts down the road.”
Due to fewer passengers, the new security system has been installed with workers able to work six jet bridges rather than one at a time.
The construction of new checked baggage systems for Airside A and C is being sped up, and the ticket level can be modernized much quicker with workers closing six at a time instead of just two.
Airside F’s roof is being replaced more quickly, with crews working longer to get the work done before the rainy season.
The restrooms in Airside A and E are being refreshed with the project started earlier than anticipated, saving two weeks.
Tampa has sped up the design of the Airside C and F restroom project, starting the project months earlier than anticipated.
Other projects include widening the George J Bean Parkway and adding a new Economy Road exit to meet future traffic demand, eight new express curbsides for passengers without checked luggage, and a new Central Utility Plant.