Austin-Bergstrom International Airport breaks ground on a major expansion project designed to quickly ease travelers through security and handle more baggage as the city continues to pull in residents and visitors alike. The celebration for the new West Infill and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Checkpoint 3 was held with officials turning the first shovels of dirt on Monday, confirming a boost in efficiency and capacity at Austin's gateway to the skies.
Construction commenced to add a hefty 75,000 square feet to the Barbara Jordan Terminal, including additional TSA lanes and baggage systems, aiming to firmly cut back on wait times. "As Austin grows, so does our airport. Near-term projects like this one will provide much-needed relief on busy days as soon as possible," Austin Assistant City Manager Robert Goode said, according to the City of Austin.
The airport's spruce-up isn't just about room and speed; it's also aiming high on the sustainability scale by pursuing an Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) 3-star rating. Funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at $15.9 million, the project largely relies on airport revenues and federal grants, not local taxpayer dollars, as touted by airport officials.
The new checkpoint should bring 6-8 additional lanes to the security fold, and alongside the bolstered Outbound Baggage Handling system, is set to swiftly move more passengers and their luggage. Ghizlane Badawi, the airport's CEO, stressed the commitment to not only follow but to lead in the airport's journey concept, pledging, "We are moving forward with purpose and urgency to ensure that Austin-Bergstrom remains a vital hub for travelers," as told to the City of Austin.
Original Checkpoint 3’s closure in early February caused a shuffle but officials managed to quickly add extra lanes to another checkpoint to prevent a dip in screening capacity. With eyes on a 2026 completion date, passengers are encouraged to keep tabs on the progress and seek travel tips through the airport's website FlyAustin.com.
