First stages of airport expansion is underway
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. - As the lines grow, so does the number of impatient passengers. The Tri-Cities Airport wasn't built to handle all the flights, people and security it's housing now.
There have been improvements over the years but this change would be significant.
Rich Larson, frequent flyer, said, "This airport is just much better than it was originally."
More than 350,000 people go in and out of the Tri-Cities Airport every year. The number of airlines and flights has also grown. Not to mention the size of the lines to get through security.
Director of Airports, Ron Foraker said, "We want to correct that. We don't want to be in a position to where we can't process the passengers to get on an airline flight and get somewhere."
First in the expansion plans, knocking down walls to increase the amount of TSA screening lines. More agents have been hired, but they need more space move people through the gate quickly.
Also on the top of the list, a larger waiting area. It stands to nearly double in size. Half of the new space will be designated for Alaska Airlines flights only. More food choices will also be available.
Rich Larson said, "Something that you can sit down and eat you know enjoy something while you're waiting."
The changes won't cost you more. Phase one of the improvements is going to cost around $3 million and is already paid for by the Passenger Facility Charge. Each ticket purchased by passenger going through these gates has a fee attached to it. The port has been saving those fees for a number of years and is now ready to put that money to use.
The airport also plans to give passengers a voice in the design process.
Rich continues, "The passengers and the airlines both are parties to it and they need to both have some say in what we end up with."
Getting through the gate is the main starting point.
Designs for the first part of the expansion should be finished by October. The first phase of construction is set to begin early next year.
Additional money for the beginning stages of the project will come from higher rates for parking.
There have been improvements over the years but this change would be significant.
Rich Larson, frequent flyer, said, "This airport is just much better than it was originally."
More than 350,000 people go in and out of the Tri-Cities Airport every year. The number of airlines and flights has also grown. Not to mention the size of the lines to get through security.
Director of Airports, Ron Foraker said, "We want to correct that. We don't want to be in a position to where we can't process the passengers to get on an airline flight and get somewhere."
First in the expansion plans, knocking down walls to increase the amount of TSA screening lines. More agents have been hired, but they need more space move people through the gate quickly.
Also on the top of the list, a larger waiting area. It stands to nearly double in size. Half of the new space will be designated for Alaska Airlines flights only. More food choices will also be available.
Rich Larson said, "Something that you can sit down and eat you know enjoy something while you're waiting."
The changes won't cost you more. Phase one of the improvements is going to cost around $3 million and is already paid for by the Passenger Facility Charge. Each ticket purchased by passenger going through these gates has a fee attached to it. The port has been saving those fees for a number of years and is now ready to put that money to use.
The airport also plans to give passengers a voice in the design process.
Rich continues, "The passengers and the airlines both are parties to it and they need to both have some say in what we end up with."
Getting through the gate is the main starting point.
Designs for the first part of the expansion should be finished by October. The first phase of construction is set to begin early next year.
Additional money for the beginning stages of the project will come from higher rates for parking.
