Barbara Jordan Terminal Expands to Meet Traveler Needs

Rendering shows the area to be expanded at ABIA.

AUSTIN, TX—As Austin continues to grow, so does Austin-Bergstrom International Airport . In evaluating growth patterns, it was found that the airport will need additional space for both passengers utilizing the terminal concourse and aircraft parking at the terminal gates.  The airport now has 24 contact gates which have boarding bridges that service airplanes parked at each gate. The terminal concourse level, which consists of approximately 300,000 square feet, is nearing its service capacity of 11 million total passengers. In keeping with the recommendations in both the 2003 and 2008 master plan and master plan phasing projects, respectively, the new terminal space will be added to the eastern end of the existing terminal facility with completion anticipated in 2018. This $240 million expansion will balance the terminal and provide much-needed space for the ever-expanding passenger and aircraft operational numbers. The design team for the terminal construction, led by Gensler , is currently in the early stages of design. The airport terminal expansion project will add approximately 70,000 square feet (a 23% increase) of new concessions, restroom facilities and concourse circulation space in the Barbara Jordan Terminal , as well as additional gates. This added concourse footprint will accommodate seven to eight additional aircraft parking spaces on the apron for both domestic and international airline operations. This near-term expansion will provide an approximate 30% increase in aircraft operational capacity. The expanded terminal will accommodate approximately 4 million additional passengers per year for a total of 15 million annual passengers–an increase of 36%. Various associated improvements throughout the facility will be completed at the same time as the expansion work. The airport operates as a self-sustaining facility so it generates revenue to pay for its operating costs and fund future improvements, including the Art in Public Places initiative. Jim Halbrook , spokesman, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport tells GlobeSt.com: “The ambience of our airport is important to a pleasant travel experience. The Art in Public Places Program works toward our goal of Austin’s airport reflecting our city’s art and culture.” On the concourse level, the terminal gate expansion component of this project will include many of the typical amenities a new terminal would require. For example, on the concourse level, some of the items to be addressed in design will include a possibly wider concourse, new hold-room spaces, ticket lift and gate podiums, signage, concessions and support space, duty-free concessions, restroom facilities, mechanical systems, security systems and public art displays. On the apron level, the terminal gate expansion will include baggage makeup conveyors, additional inbound baggage systems, airline operations office space, signage, airport support space, security systems, restroom facilities, storage and other related ancillary facilities. Implementation of the apron expansion will be required to provide needed taxi-lane dimensions for the terminal expansion as well as accommodate additional RON aircraft parking needs. The apron expansion project would also include the design and construction of GSE storage facilities to accommodate airline/ground service providers’ equipment storage. Additional water quality pond infrastructure will also be required to adequately treat storm water runoff due to the added impervious cover from the apron expansion.