San Diego Airport Expansion Plans – The Green Build

The number of individuals that travel through the San Diego Airport is projected to increase to 27-33 million by the year 2030.  This increase will have a significant impact on the local economy especially on hotels, restaurants and many other local businesses.  To accommodate this increase in demand, the San Diego Airport is moving forward with The Green Build.  A $1 billion dollar project, The Green Build is an expansion plan that is designed around sustainability.  In addition to energy savings, water efficiency and emissions reduction, The Green Build will make needed improvements to the airport, enhancing the traveler’s experience.

With work beginning as early as 2009, this novel expansion to the San Diego airport has been much anticipated.  In addition to the 1,000 jobs that the project will provide during the peak construction period, the airport hopes the changes will have an impact on the local area, residents and vacationers staying at hotels close to San Diego airport for years to come.  Some of the expansion plans include:

• - 10 New Gates – The additional gates will double the current size of Terminal 2.  The additional space will reduce terminal congestion and provide more comfortable passenger waiting areas.
• - Enhanced Security – Additional lanes will be added to improve the flow of passengers, and thus keep wait times low.
• - Dual Level Roadway – The roadway is designed to relieve curbside traffic.  The upper level lanes will be dedicated to departing passengers while the lower lanes will be dedicated to those passengers who are arriving at the airport.
• - Curbside Check-In – This new feature is a great time-saving convenience for departing passengers.  After pulling up to the terminal, passengers will be able to check in, print boarding passes and check baggage.
• - Dining and Shopping – Named Sunset Cove, this brand new dining and shopping venue will offer several new shops and restaurants.  All existing concessions throughout the airport will also be redeveloped to compliment the changes being made.
• - Public Art – To give visitors a unique travel experience, there will be art added throughout the entire length of the new terminal, as well as sculpture that hovers over the main space of the concessions area.  New glass enclosed elevators will also be installed.

The San Diego International Airports expansion project is committed to protecting the airport’s unique urban setting, while also making changes that make the travel experiencing more enjoyable for travelers and visitors to San Diego.  Travelers and vacationers staying at the Pacific Inn Hotel near San Diego Airport can expect to take advantage of the finished facilities sometime in 2013.