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The interest level was through the roof for the "Capital Development - Airport Capital Program Showcase" session on Monday. It was standing-room only. Each of the panelists was there to share some insight on recent projects, as well as how they were able to alleviate potential challenges. The moderator, Howard Eng, President and CEO, Greater Toronto Airports Authority, let the panelists do most of the talking, but preceded the conversations by saying, "Capital projects are critical and the lifeblood of airports."

Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, shed some light on the massive project in New Orleans: a new airport that is scheduled to open in February 2019. He said the old airport "was becoming a liability to the city." So after a good bit of debate, a new facility was the choice. Some of the options being incorporated into the layout are unique, especially the traffic pattern – you can approach the terminal from either side. Traffic will be split four ways instead of two to help with congestion, he said. Also the concession areas will look different. "We are going to use a lot of center areas for the concessions to leave open space on the sides," he explained. And, if you ever wondered how many miles of storm sewer pipe have to go into a project of this magnitude in this type of terrain? Fourteen miles it is! 

David N. Edwards Jr., President and CEO, Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District, talked about "essentially rebuilding a terminal within a terminal" for this "project of passion" at Greenville-Spartanburg. It started in 2009 with a study, and they had the ribbon-cutting in May 2017. The original terminal had been built in 1962, and the plan was to update it, expand it and have it ready for the 2035 anticipated number of passengers – 4 million. The airport remained fully operational during the entire construction process, which almost doubled the square footage. "Clouds" on the ceilings soften the lighting, hard surfaces for walkways and carpeting for standing areas, there are new concessions, and even a garden you can access post-security. And the clincher? "Everything we did had to have a positive ROI on it from a sustainability standpoint," said Edwards.

Khaled Naja, Vice President – Infrastructure & Development at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, discussed "travel transformed" at DFW with the DFW Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program (TRIP). "We are four years ahead of schedule and under budget," he said about the renovations taking place. The strategy was pretty simple, he said: "Engage key stakeholders." Each terminal is completely unique, there are open concourses, more natural lighting, direct signage, high ceilings, high-capacity elevators, new floors, improved parking that is highly automated and, yes, a yoga program on site. The renovations also have enabled DFW to reduce its environmental impact. "(DFW) is the first airport in North America to be carbon neutral," said Naja. The renovations also equate to a "35% average reduction in operating costs in the new terminals," he added. Next on the agenda? Rail service to DFW Terminal B from Fort Worth, with an anticipated opening in late 2018.

 

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