Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport’s plans unveiled

To accommodate passenger service over the next twenty years and beyond, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport outlined four distinct phases of new terminal development at an estimated total cost of $1.4 billion during a session of the Airport Authority’s Board of Directors meeting.

Gateway Airport is among the fastest growing hub airports in the United States, accommodating 956,665 total passengers in 2011 and forecasting 1.3 million in 2012. To accommodate the rapid rise in passenger service, the Airport’s current terminal facility has transitioned through four expansion projects in as many years.

Current passenger trends indicate the existing terminal facilities and infrastructure on the Airport’s west side will be at full capacity as early as 2014. In response, the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Northeast Area Development Plan was initiated. The plan, titled “Gateway 2030” by the Airport Executive Director at a recent Board of Director’s meeting, was prepared by the Jacobs Engineering Group in collaboration with Airport staff; Federal, State and local officials; development industry experts; and major land owners near the Airport over a 20-month period that began in October 2009.

Phase One

Gateway 2030 will be executed in four phases as demand warrants expansion. The first phase will include a single-level terminal and concourse with 14 aircraft gates, surface parking for 4,375 vehicles, airfield improvements, partial construction of a circulation roadway, and related infrastructure improvements. Phase One will be designed to accommodate up to 3 million total passengers a year. The timing for completion of Phase 1 is demand-based but expected to be operational as early as 2017. The estimated cost for this phase is $344 million.

Phase Two

Phase Two expands Phase One development, making the terminal facility capable of accommodating up to 4.4 million passengers annually. Detailed expansion includes: four additional gates, extension of the circulation roadway, expanded surface parking to 10,500 vehicles, and a 1,000-feet extension of Runway 12L/30R. The estimated cost of this phase is $145 million.

Phase Three

Phase Three increases the terminal capacity to 10 million passengers annually and expands the terminal facilities to two levels and 30 total aircraft gates. Parking facilities include multilevel garages and planning for light rail service. Completion timing has not been determined. The estimated cost of this phase is $963 million.

Phase Four

Phase Four completes the Plan and all related project efforts, enabling the Airport to accommodate up to 20 million passengers annually. Phase Four enhancements are expected to include a total of 60 aircraft gates, 21,000 vehicle parking spaces, and dual landside terminal arrival and departure curbs on two levels. Since Phase Four activities likely will not be undertaken until 2030 or beyond, no cost estimates have been forecast.

“Airport staff recognizes that we are stewards of an incredible community asset and we’re working hard to make it the best it can be,” said Airport Authority Executive Director, Lynn Kusy. “The Gateway 2030 project represents a significant step in achieving the Airport’s potential as it outlines the critical steps needed to meet forecast passenger demand.”

Potential funding sources for Gateway 2030 include the Federal Aviation Administration, Arizona Department of Transportation, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority member government contributions, and Airport resources such as passenger facility charges and bonds.

The Plan also forecasts $385 million in private development which is expected to be spent on 2.5 million square feet of office/retail space and two hotels producing 600 rooms.