Airport's Initial Stage of Terminal 1 in San Diego Scheduled for Finish in September 2025
The San Diego International Airport (SAN) is undergoing a significant transformation with the second phase of its Terminal 1 project, a crucial part of the Airport Development Plan (ADP). This ambitious plan aims to modernize and expand the airport's infrastructure, enhancing the travel experience for millions of passengers.
The second phase, scheduled to open in 2028, will see the demolition of the original Terminal 1 and its replacement with an additional 11 gates, bringing the total to 30 new gates. This phase is a continuation of the first phase, which is set to open in late summer 2025, offering 19 of the planned 30 gates.
The ADP encompasses more than just the terminal expansion. It includes the construction of a new large parking structure, roadway improvements, an expanded taxiway, and space reserved for a future rail transit station west of the new parking area, though the rail station is not part of the airport’s direct responsibility.
The first phase of the New Terminal 1 project, set to open in September 2025, will also introduce 19 new eateries and retail establishments. Over 500 contracted construction companies and 5,000 labourers have been employed for this phase of development.
Work is ongoing on a three-lane on-airport access route that will transport traffic from Laurel Street to the airport, displacing approximately 45,000 cars from Harbour Drive each day. The T1 parking plaza, which is around 45% finished, is expected to open in late 2024, offering 5,200 parking spots, with 10% reserved for electric car charging stations.
Kimberly Becker, president and chief executive officer of the airport, expressed her gratitude for the efforts of the Airport Authority Board and staff, airline partners, and the thousands working for the Turner-Flatiron joint venture and its subcontractors, making the project milestone possible.
Passengers continue to pass via the old terminal at San Diego International Airport due to ongoing work on the New Terminal 1 project, with some traffic redirected. The renovated Terminal 1 will feature an elevated departures highway, outdoor check-in pavilions, and a dedicated arrivals lane, offering a more efficient and modern travel experience.
The New Terminal 1 project is part of a larger $3.8 billion effort to fully replace the aging Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport, joining the ranks of major terminal upgrades going on in the USA. The construction of the New Terminal 1 project is funded in part by a $265M construction credit for the Pacific Center Life Science facility in San Diego.
The second phase of the Terminal 1 project, set to open in 2028, will bring 11 additional gates to the new T1, bringing the total to 30. This phase will ensure the completion of all planned upgrades and expansions by 2028, marking a significant step forward in the airport's modernization efforts.
- The Airport Development Plan (ADP) in San Diego also includes the construction of a new large parking structure, which is part of the overarching project management.
- In addition to the terminal expansion, the ADP involves roadway improvements and an expanded taxiway, elements that are crucial in the construction industry.
- The funding for the New Terminal 1 project includes a $265M construction credit from the Pacific Center Life Science facility in San Diego, indicating the involvement of finance in the airport's modernization efforts, in alignment with the transportation and aviation sectors.
