San Diego’s US$4bn airport build gets new federal funding

Exterior render of Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport in California, US. (Image courtesy Turner-Flatiron JV)

Worth approximately $26.3 million, the grant is the 11th allocated by the federal government for SAN’s major works. In total, the US government has provided about $192 million for the scheme. US Senator from California Alex Padilla made the announcement on 9 September.

Phase-one construction works to build a brand new Terminal 1 are currently underway, led by a joint venture of US-based major infrastructure and construction firms Turner Construction and Flatiron Construction. The JV was awarded a nearly $2.3-billion contract in 2020.

Will 2024 be boom or bust for global airport construction activities? Detroit, US, project kicks-off speculative year for global airport construction

The new SAN Terminal 1 will have 30 gates with expanded concourse and concessions, a new parking garage, and improved baggage-handling system.

By the end of next summer, 19 gates are expected to open with the remaining 11 ready by the scheduled project completion date in 2028. After the first 19 gates open in 2025, demolition of the existing 1960s-built will commence.

Roadway, taxiway and access works are also expected throughout the project. A programme to mitigate sound for nearby residents is also planned.

This is the latest airport project in the US to announce finding. Earlier this week it the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas, US, started construction work for a US$9-billion transformation project.

Interior render of the future San Diego International Airport. (Image courtesy Turner-Flatiron JV)