Tampa International Airport is about to see a major facelift come Dec. 2, according to The Tampa Tribune. The airport’s first floor of the terminal on the east end of baggage claim will be the first location to have work done. Directing traffic will be the airport’s main duty once construction is underway, with volunteers, signs and newly hired customer personnel guiding passengers as they exit planes.
The east end of the ground transportation floor will become the station for the airport’s people mover, a new addition to the building that features a light-rail train that shuttles passengers between the airport, the economy lot and the rental car facility. This renovation is expected to take three years.
The airport’s transfer level will see changes beginning in January. Shuttle walkways will be pushed back to create 50,000-sf of extra space on the third floor, which will accommodate more concessions. While there is no word yet on what new concessions will be added, travelers will begin to see new shops and restaurants opening in 2016.
The first phase of the plan will cost $1 billion and happen over a period of three years. It is expected to give thousands of people jobs while decongesting area roadways, allowing rental car companies to grow, and preparing the airport for a doubling of passengers by 2041. The project will also keep the airport running efficiently and effectively for the next 20-30 years.
For more information abut the project, visit www.tampaairport.com.
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