Tampa International Airport (TPA) is progressing its security checkpoint expansion projects at Airsides A and E.
These developments aim to enhance the efficiency and experience of the TSA passenger screening process, accommodating the increasing number of travellers.
At both Airside E and Airside A, construction crews have commenced erecting the structural steel framework. Using cranes, they are lifting beams and columns into place, following months of foundational preparation adjacent to the existing checkpoint area.
The integration of the new steel structures with the existing Airside buildings is a notable engineering endeavour. Both Airside A and E were designed and constructed before the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) post-9/11, with Airside A opening in 1995 and Airside E in 2002.
The expansions will add approximately 20,000 square feet to each Airside, specifically designated for TSA passenger screening. This significant increase in space will not only make the checkpoints more spacious but will also incorporate natural lighting, enhancing the overall passenger experience.
Once the steel framework phase is complete, the project’s focus will shift to adding floors, walls, and essential utilities.
The comprehensive project, which includes both Airsides, has a total construction cost of 65.1 million USD. Funding is sourced primarily through bonds, supplemented by 525,000 USD in grants from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The design-build project is being led by Boston-based Suffolk Construction in collaboration with consulting firm AECOM.
The completion of the expansions is scheduled for summer 2025, promising a transformed and more efficient security screening process for all travelers at TPA.
