SARASOTA, Fla. — Local leaders joined officials with the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport for a groundbreaking ceremony for its new terminal expansion.
It's a significant step in the construction of five new gates in anticipation of passenger traffic that's expected to double within the next few years. The new $73 million terminal will cover more than 75,000 square feet and will include a four-lane security checkpoint.
The expansion is coming as the airport has continued to set records in the number of travelers coming through it.
"We're (looking) at about 4.5 million passengers this year," SRQ airport CEO Rick Piccolo said. "We think that once this five-gate project is done we'll go to 5 million and then over time we think the capacity for there to be about 7 million."
Over the next 18 months, about $200 million worth of construction will take place toward expanding and designing the airport's new additions.
The gates will come with new ramps, security checkpoints, concessions areas, and food and beverage retail. A new central power plan for the terminal as well as energy utility relocation amongst several upgrades are planned.
"Everything from a re-do of our baggage system, about 1,400 more surface parking spaces, a new cell phone lot, a new ground transportation center," Piccolo said.
Before the coronoavirus pandemic, SRQ hosted six airlines with nonstop flights to just 12 destinations. Now, 11 airlines operate from there — with 55 direct flights.
In February the NTSB launched an investigation into two close runway incidents at the airport. Local lawmakers say, as the airport grows, various infrastructural investments are necessary to avoid such incidents.
"We built a new tower with $25 million of federal and state funds and everybody working together, so we have to work on that as well because there have been some incidents," Rep. Vern Buchanan (R) Congressman 16th District said.
"We are going to do everything we can and I'm going to be very focused on that because we can't have an accident here or anywhere else," Buchanan said.
Airport officials said part of the plan is to eventually link the new terminal wing to the current terminal wing and have a central security checkpoint within five to 10 years. Piccolo said that the project would cost about the same amount, $150-200 million.
The airport is a critical part of the area's economic vitality, contributing around $3.2 billion annually according to the Florida Department of Transportation.
"That's $3.2 billion worth of economic benefit is done at no cost for a residence and we generate over 23,000 jobs in the community," Piccolo said. "We've more than doubled our janitorial staff, and we want to make sure that convenience and our cleanliness are maintained."
The airport has hired around 100 new staff to boost its workforce according to Piccolo.
Once completed, each of the new gates will have five boarding hold rooms with 970 seats.