Salt Lake International Airport Development Thread

SLC Projects · #1 Posted **Apr 22, 2012, 10:04 PM**

The demolition and reconstruction of the airport — to begin sometime in 2013 and planned to take place in phases — is expected to take between eight and ten years at a cost of $1.8 billion.

The airport is currently the westernmost hub in the United States for Delta Air Lines, whose flights account for almost three-quarters of the traffic at the airport.

Interestingly, the remodeled airport would have only one terminal and twelve fewer gates than it does now. Portions of the current airport — such as Terminal 1 and Concourses A and B — have been around as long as 50 years.

Websites to follow the latest of this billion dollar redevelopment.
http://www.slcairport.com/TRP-Progress_Gallery.asp
http://www.hdjvteam.com/

SLC Tribune

Deseret News

Next, we should be hearing more about the airport project sometime this summer where we hope we will finally see some renderings.

Stay tuned.

BoiseAirport · #2 Posted **Apr 22, 2012, 10:25 PM**

Very nice, Salt Lake City! This is a great project and the hub operation will be much more efficient as a result. Can't wait to see it built out.

isangpogi · #3 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 3:52 AM**

Wow! I love the idea of just one terminal to handle all traffic instead of several. Strange though how the new airport will have 12 FEWER gates... Is SLC in its present state overbuilt and significantly under capacity? My past experiences there would suggest otherwise...

Orlando · #4 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 4:04 AM**

Terminal A is usually a ghost town.

CountyLemonade · #5 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 4:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isangpogi

Wow! I love the idea of just one terminal to handle all traffic instead of several. Strange though how the new airport will have 12 FEWER gates... Is SLC in its present state overbuilt and significantly under capacity? My past experiences there would suggest otherwise...

As far as I know, these new gates will be much more versatile than the ones today. Thus, there won't be a need for as many of them.

UTAZLoVer · #6 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 6:27 AM**

My understanding is that although the new airport will have fewer gates, the new gates are designed to be much more efficient, enabling smoother and quicker boardings and resulting in a net increase in the number of daily flights that can be handled at SLC.

BoiseAirport · #7 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 8:23 AM**

The biggest reason for less gates is that as fuel prices stay high it makes more economic sense to ditch high frequency with smaller jets and replace them with less frequency on larger ones -- SkyWest is shedding the E-120 and cutting back on their fleet of 50-seater jets which will mean a net reduction in frequency in favor of CRJ-700s/900s, and so the need for gates will be less.

skyguy414 · #8 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 12:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isangpogi

Wow! I love the idea of just one terminal to handle all traffic instead of several. Strange though how the new airport will have 12 FEWER gates... Is SLC in its present state overbuilt and significantly under capacity? My past experiences there would suggest otherwise...

SLC at its current state is designed to accomodate approxiately 10 million passengers per year. Right now, SLC handles 21-22 million passengers per year.

Besides outgrowing the current facility, seismic safety reasons and aging facilities is a a major factor in the need for a new terminal. SLC has also greatly outgrown its customs and immigration facilties.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orlando

Terminal A is usually a ghost town.

Concourse A is packed and standing room only several times a day. Depends on what time of day you are there.

The reason for the 12 fewer gates is this...

Right now all of concourse E can only accomodate commuter aircraft. 28 parking spots (give or take) just for small aircraft. The new terminal will eliminate commuter specific parking spots and all gates on the new concourse will be able to handle any size aircraft, whether large mainline or a small commuter plane. Meaning each gate will be utilized more often, and fewer gates will sit idle when not used. So in actuallity, the airport will be able to handle more flights with fewer gates. Much more efficient and cost saving. Plus there are future phases of expansion which will be able to add several additional gates as necessary.

Just on a side note, as of right now the new UTA station/ welcome center is well under construction and should be finished this summer/fall. This is a temporary station until the new terminal is built. The future station will be located at the future parking garage, elevated on the second level and adjacent to the new terminal.

The new food court in terminal 2 opened last week and has Cafe Rio, Greek Souvlaki, and McDonalds. It is a very nice food court. I'll try and get some pics. Other food establishments and stores continue to open on a regular basis as old ones are renovated and new ones opened. A new Starbucks (the airport's fourth Starbucks) opened in the terminal two lobby a couple weeks ago. Wendy's should be open next week. Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta, Smash Burger, and Gordon Biersch Brewery are also under construction. Vino Volo Ale House, Manchu Wok, and one of the Seattle's Best coffe's will be opening soon as will the airport's 2nd U food Grill (on C concourse) and Pink Berry. Market Street Grill should start construction within the next month or so.

Edit: New terminal 2 food court pics

DCRes · #9 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 3:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyguy414

SLC at its current state is designed to accomodate approxiately 10 million passengers per year. Right now, SLC handles 21-22 million passengers per year.

Do you know how many the redesigned airport will accomodate?

Also, i like that there is a Cafe Rio in the new food court. It adds a little local flavor

Future Mayor · #10 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 3:28 PM**

Where, in Terminal 2, is the new food court located?

skyguy414 · #11 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 4:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCRes

Do you know how many the redesigned airport will accomodate?

Also, i like that there is a Cafe Rio in the new food court. It adds a little local flavor

I don't have the exact number in front of me, but initially, I believe 25-30 million. In future expansion phases, that can easily be increased.

When the airport asked for proposals for the food and retail redevelopment program, they specifically wanted to include more local stores and restaurants. Cafe Rio, Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta, and Greek Souvlaki are among them. Also you will find a Utah's Own store, a Sam Weller's Books (not completed yet), Deseret Newsstand, KSL newsstand, Millcreek Coffee, and more Utah related gift shops. Squatters (a local brewery), which has been at the airport for many years, renovated late last year and remains a popular airport restaurant. And as mentioned, Market Street Grill will start renovating an existing restaurant soon.

You can see the full list here:

http://slcairport.com/cmsdocuments/P...ns_halfway.pdf

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

Where, in Terminal 2, is the new food court located?

The new food court is actually a renovated food court. It is the one in between C and D concourse, near the Delta Sky Club.

jedikermit · #12 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 4:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyguy414

When the airport asked for proposals for the food and retail redevelopment program, they specifically wanted to include more local stores and restaurants. Cafe Rio, Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta, and Greek Souvlaki are among them. Also you will find a Utah's Own store, a Sam Weller's Books (not completed yet), Deseret Newsstand, KSL newsstand, Millcreek Coffee, and more Utah related gift shops. Squatters (a local brewery), which has been at the airport for many years, renovated late last year and remains a popular airport restaurant. And as mentioned, Market Street Grill will start renovating an existing restaurant soon.

That's fantastic.

Wasatch_One · #13 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isangpogi

Wow! I love the idea of just one terminal to handle all traffic instead of several. Strange though how the new airport will have 12 FEWER gates... Is SLC in its present state overbuilt and significantly under capacity? My past experiences there would suggest otherwise...

When I was reading about the Airport redevelopment a few months back I remember them talking about adding additional concourses in the future connected by a tram (similar to Denver) but that is probably 10-20 years out still.

What I like about this plan is the expansion potential compared to what currently exists.

Future Mayor · #14 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 7:03 PM**

If I'm not mistaken the underground tunnel to connect the concourses is already in place. Please correct me if I'm wrong Skyguy.

skyguy414 · #15 Posted **Apr 23, 2012, 8:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

If I'm not mistaken the underground tunnel to connect the concourses is already in place. Please correct me if I'm wrong Skyguy.

There is a tunnel in place, yes. Originally, the west end of a second north parallel concourse was to be built as part of phase one. It was determined that building the new terminal, the new main concourses and renovating current B, C, and D concourse would be more cost effective. The parallel concourse will be built in a future phase (and B, C, and D demolished) or possibly sooner should it be needed. Ultimately it will be the terminal and two long parallel concourses. But that is years away.

If the entire north concourse were to be built (and when it is), there would actually be three underground tunnels to connect to the main concourse and terminal. One of the west end, one in the center, and one on the east end. The center tunnel would have an underground people mover train and the other two would have moving walkways. The tunnel that has already been built is the west tunnel. Right now it's just sitting there until its needed.

Here are some pics of the UTA station under construction. Kind of mess now, but give it a couple months.

And lastly, a picture I took last night of the beautiful sunset. I wish I had something better than my phone to capture it.

John Martin · #16 Posted **Apr 24, 2012, 12:13 AM**

I'm just curious, what's your job?

skyguy414 · #17 Posted **Apr 24, 2012, 4:45 AM**

John,

PM sent to you.

Bob The Builder · #18 Posted **Apr 24, 2012, 2:39 PM**

The new Airport is going to be awasome!
It will help bring in a lot of construction jobs!

(Eco)nomy_404 · #19 Posted **Apr 24, 2012, 6:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob The Builder

The new Airport is going to be awasome!
It will help bring in a lot of construction jobs!

If I`m not mistaken, the $1.8 Billion price tag is about the same as City Creek. That really is a big investment!

SLC Projects · #20 Posted **Apr 24, 2012, 7:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by (Eco)nomy_404

If I`m not mistaken, the $1.8 Billion price tag is about the same as City Creek. That really is a big investment!

About the same, and this is only the first phase. Who knows how much phase II will cost.