Skanska breaks ground on major cargo redevelopment at San Francisco airport

Skanska has begun construction on a significant new cargo facilities project at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in the US. Image: Skanska

Encompassing a new cargo building and ancillary Ground Service Equipment (GSE) maintenance building, the redevelopment project will allow the airport to meet growing cargo demands and improve operations efficiency and safety.

The new cargo facility will include 95,000 square-feet of cargo area and 25,000 square-feet of mezzanine office space.

It will also provide landside manoeuvring depth to accommodate approximately 30 trucks. The 17,000 square-foot GSE maintenance facility will be situated on-site, but physically separate from the main cargo facility.

“This project is a critical step in modernising SFO’s infrastructure and will deliver significant benefits to airlines, freight operators and passengers alike,” said Gordon Childress, Executive Vice President, General Manager for Skanska USA Building in California.

The project is said to align with San Francisco’s sustainability goals, incorporating PV solar panels, battery storage systems and electric vehicle (EV)-capable infrastructure. The design also prioritises natural lighting and the use of sustainable materials to reduce energy consumption and minimise environmental impact.

Skanska says that unique construction methods are being used to overcome challenges, including strict height restrictions near runways limiting crane height and requiring the installation of piles in multiple welded sections.

Obstacles posed by outdated infrastructure and undocumented underground utilities are being addressed through extensive site research, including Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), tracing and potholing, to create an accurate as-built record of existing utilities.

Being delivered via design-build with Woods Bagot serving as architect, the project is estimated to be complete in early 2028.