Construction at San Diego's airport advances with the steel framework of the first phase of the New Terminal 1 completed. According to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, this development constitutes an enhancement to the region's air transportation infrastructure.
Referred to as the "topping out" celebration, this accomplishment is a step towards the scheduled summer 2025 opening of the first phase. Nineteen gates, a parking plaza, an elevated departures roadway, outdoor check-in pavilions, and a dedicated on-airport arrivals roadway will be ready for a late summer opening.
The New Terminal 1 program, while making sizeable progress, is also aiming to utilize local community resources. This includes small, disadvantaged, and veteran-owned businesses for the provision of goods and services to the airport. An estimated 500 contracted construction companies and nearly 5,000 workers have been engaged in the project.
The New Terminal 1 will not only facilitate travel but also impress with its artistic touch. The "Luminous Wave" curtain wall design that graces the facade is laced with curved glass panels, which might diminish heat, sunlight, and glare. This design symbolizes the project's innovative spirit, conceived by artist-architect James Carpenter in association with Gensler.
In a nod to sustainability, the New T1 parking plaza, which will open in late 2024, will have 5,200 parking spaces, 10 percent of which will possess charging stations for electric vehicles.
A concurrent project of noteworthy importance is the three-lane on-airport access roadway connecting Laurel Street directly to the airport. Anticipated to divert 45,000 vehicles each day from Harbor Drive, this implementation is a crucial upgrade for the roadway system.
Six commissioned artists have been chosen to work on site-specific public art, reflecting the airport's dedication to creating an enriching ambiance for passengers and the local community alongside efficient transportation service.
The first phase of construction stands as only the initial bit of what's to come. A second phase, set to start operations in 2028, will add another 11 gates, raising the total to 30. Extra amenities such as additional security checkpoint lanes, gate-area seating, an outdoor patio area post-security, up to two airline lounges and clubs, as well as a children's play area, will be featured alongside a collection of site-specific public art.
