San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has announced the opening of an interim connecting walkway within Terminal 3 West as part of its ongoing 2.6 billion USD Terminal 3 West Modernization Project.
Set to open on 5 November, the walkway will allow passengers to traverse between terminals and boarding areas around construction works, ensuring continued connectivity between all terminals during the four-year project.
The interim corridor will be in place through 2028.
The new walkway comprises two sections. The first, a 440-foot corridor, connects Terminal 3 near Gate E2 to the rotunda food court area.
The second section extends an additional 1,000 feet, linking the food court to an existing post-security walkway leading to the International Terminal G gates.
The Terminal 3 West Modernization Project includes renovations and expansions across the terminal’s 650,000-square-foot western half, adding seismic upgrades, an enlarged security checkpoint, and updated passenger amenities.
Upon completion, Terminal 3 will feature an updated, welcoming exterior with expanded curbside check-in space, new self-bag drop options, and an additional security checkpoint located on the mezzanine level for passengers arriving via AirTrain.
For international arrivals, the project will create direct access to the Customs Hall in the International Terminal via a new Federal Inspection Service (FIS) sterile corridor.
Meanwhile, a six-story building will provide space for airline lounges and operational offices, set to open in early 2028. Additional enhancements, including a renovated check-in lobby on Terminal 3’s eastern end, are scheduled for completion in early 2029.
SFO is pursuing LEED Platinum certification for the project. The modernisation will incorporate green building practices and features such as daylight harvesting, displacement ventilation, on-site solar photovoltaic cells, waste heat recovery, low-carbon materials, and a smart energy management system for baggage handling.
Other sustainability elements include dynamic glazing, recycled water usage, hydration stations, health-focused building materials, and educational displays about the facility’s green features.
