Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport's $404M Terminal Expansion Takes Flight

Condo Journey users often cite access to airline transportation as a crucial factor influencing their desired location. South Florida, boasting three international airports, ensures that most condo owners are just an hour's drive away from catching a flight. This accessibility is heightened by the availability of multiple flight options, including direct routes, offering added flexibility for travelers. Excitingly, the future looks promising for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, as it gears up to unveil its fifth terminal, set to soar into the skies by 2026.

 
The cost of this visionary undertaking is estimated at a significant $404 million. This substantial investment will give birth to a state-of-the-art, two-level, five-gate domestic terminal. This new addition is expected to revolutionize the travel experience, featuring dedicated sections for check-in, ticketing, baggage processing, security screening, as well as an enticing array of retail and dining spots. It's worth noting that this marks a historic moment for FLL, as it embarks on its first ground-up construction of a new terminal in decades, promising innovation, and modernization.

In line with contemporary environmental considerations, Terminal 5 is designed with sustainability in mind. The terminal aims to meet Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Silver certification standards. Sustainable features include natural daylight maximization, the use of recycled concrete throughout construction, low volatile organic compound materials, efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, and low flow fixtures.

The funding for this colossal project is derived from a mix of sources, including airport bonds, transportation grants from the Florida Department of Transportation, and passenger facility charges. This financial puzzle has been carefully pieced together, and the Broward County Aviation Department secured vital approvals for the Master Plan Update from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the Florida Department of Transportation in early 2021.

 
The construction of the new terminal involves a collaborative effort from various contractors:

Construction Management: JetBlue Airways, a prominent American low-cost carrier, is overseeing the construction process on behalf of Broward County.

Design Team: An international architecture and engineering company, Bermello Ajamil & Partners, partnered with American architect Gensler, and employee-owned designer HDR to craft the innovative design for the new terminal.

Program Management Services: Parsons, a digitally enabled solutions provider, secured a $12.6 million contract to provide comprehensive program management services for the construction of the terminal.

Preplanning Assistance: Advisory consulting company Ricondo played a crucial role in assisting Broward County during the preplanning phase for the new terminal.

Engineering Solutions: TLC Engineering Solutions, a Florida-based structural engineering firm, was contracted to deliver mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and fire protection services for the project.

Construction Oversight: KEITH, a multidisciplinary construction engineer inspector, and Hunt/Moss, a construction and maintenance services provider, are actively involved, with the latter serving as a construction manager at risk.

This diverse team of contractors brings a wealth of expertise to ensure the successful realization of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's Terminal 5, contributing to its functionality, sustainability, and overall success.

The need for another terminal is driven by the FLL Master Plan, with the primary goal of accommodating the anticipated increase in airline and passenger demand in the future. Projections paint a promising picture, with FLL poised to grow from its current 35 million annual passengers to nearly 52 million per year within the next two decades.

 
Broward County administrator, Monica Cepero, is optimistic about the project, anticipating the creation of between 1,000 and 1,200 permanent jobs. During the construction phase, the Terminal 5 (T5) project is set to generate an impressive 3,400 direct and indirect construction-related jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy. The involvement of over a dozen small businesses adds to the positive impact. The Master Plan further highlights the integration of an internally looped people-mover system to enhance passenger mobility, along with the airport's plans for a new hotel and commercial center. The transformation doesn't stop there, with older concourses expected to be replaced, ushering in an era of efficiency and modernity.

As with any grand transformation, concerns have arisen regarding the potential impact on parking and traffic. However, the new construction aims to alleviate these worries by replacing the Palm Garage, expanding the parking facilities, and ensuring a seamless experience for travelers.

For frequent flyers and local residents, this transformation evokes a mix of emotions. While there is concern about potential traffic disruptions in the area, there is a prevailing sentiment that the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term inconveniences.