Portland International Airport

New Projects on Tap at PDX as Terminal Expansion South Improvements Complete

by Melody Finnemore

Part of Portland International Airport's Terminal Expansion South project included seismic upgrade work in the main terminal. Photo courtesy of Hoffman

The recent completion of the Terminal Expansion South project at Portland International Airport is expected to improve convenience and comfort for the growing number of air travelers who pass through PDX, as well as reflect the unique spirit of the Northwest by showcasing some of the region's best artistic talent.

Phase III of the TES project, which began in April 2002, involved the demolition of the old Concourse C and aircraft control tower, the replacement of a remaining asphalt apron between concourses C and D with concrete, the installation of new storm drains and aircraft fueling system, and a complete sewer connection for the north side of Concourse C.

An infill component of the expansion project added unfinished shell space on the terminal's mezzanine level for office and meeting room space, a "meeter/greeter" waiting area on the main level that can be expanded into concession space when future demand makes it necessary, and loading docks and tenant storage space on the ground level.

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In addition, the $38.6 million effort included the installation of seismic bracing on all three levels of the terminal and immediately adjacent portions of the building.

Overall, the project added more than 400,000 sq. ft. to the lobby, concourse, ticketing and baggage processing space. The new Concourse C replaced the 13 oldest gates in the airport and provides travelers with wider passageways, waiting areas, concessions and restrooms. It also creates a continuous, consistent design that matches newer gates that were constructed in Concourse C in 1998.

"These improvements collectively enhance our ability to better meet the needs of the community for the next 10 to 15 years," said Steve Johnson, public affairs program manager for the Port of Portland, which operates PDX.

Jim Dill, project manager for Portland's Hoffman Construction Co., the general contractor on the Terminal Expansion South project, said his greatest challenge was to ensure that construction didn't interfere with the airport's operations. Construction crews were charged with paving 350,000 sq. ft. - or eight acres - of the apron during the brief window of opportunity between spring and fall that Portland's weather allowed.

"The earthwork and the site work, because of the volume of it and the short amount of time we had to do it, had the potential for a lot of disruption and delays," Dill said. "We ended up doing the excavation and backfill during the day and pouring concrete at night, and we worked a lot of double shifts."

An unknown amount of soil contaminated with airline fuel also complicated matters. Some workers had been exposed to contaminated soil while completing an earlier phase of the Terminal Expansion South project, and planners wanted to ensure it didn't happen again.

"On the TES III job we did an extra level of planning to ensure the safe and efficient removal of what turned out to be about 9,200 tons of soil that was contaminated by aviation fuel," Dill said. "We took the (previous exposure) as a lesson learned and did a lot of site work planning and awareness planning way up front to make sure our workers were educated and safe."

Tower Tumbles

A robotic machine was used in the demolition of the old control tower above the airport's main terminal. Photo courtesy of Hoffman

One of the more unique aspects of the project involved the demolition of the old control tower, a cast-in-place concrete structure that stood 67 feet above the terminal roof and adjacent to a Federal Aviation Administration office filled with vibration-sensitive equipment.

"There was about 1,000 tons of material that had to be removed within a three-month period," without harming visitors in the airport's Oregon Marketplace or disrupting 24-hour operations at the FAA center, Dill said. "We worked very closely with the demolition contractor to devise a work plan that would accomplish this in the most effective way possible, and the success of that portion of the project is a credit to the subcontractor, Northwest Demolition."

Another unique element to the Terminal Expansion South project is its emphasis on art. The Port of Portland Commission sought the assistance of an arts advisory committee and the Regional Arts and Culture Council in developing an art program for the airport. Working with four Pacific Northwest artists, the port commissioned an array of artwork that includes the Columbia River inlaid in bronze into a terrazzo floor; benches in the shapes of salmon, bridges and boats; and art poles marking key spots along the Columbia River. Port of Portland Commissioners wanted to set a precedent with this focus on aesthetics in the terminal, Johnson said

"What we really want to do is reflect some of the beauty and interesting culture that are so important in the Northwest," he said.

That strategy netted PDX an award in 2001 for the best overall concessions program for medium-sized North American airports, and will be a continuing theme as future improvements take place throughout the airport.

Such long-range vision from the Port of Portland Commission, amid changing administrations and industry trends, has been key to the airport's success, according to Bob Frasca, partner in charge of design at Portland's Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership, which has designed many of the improvements at PDX through the last three decades.

"Even though the airport was built in small increments, we didn't want it to look like it had been pieced together, but instead it should look as though there was a singular vision," Frasca said. "In the end, we were able to achieve that. We do have a singular vision and this is a 21st century building."

Long-term plans for Portland International Airport call for improvements to Concourse A and the addition of a second parking garage. The Port of Portland is in the very preliminary planning stages for that project, which is scheduled for 10 to 15 years down the road.

A more immediate change in store at PDX is the implementation of an improved checked baggage screening system that will replace the system put into effect shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. A mandated federal Aviation and Transportation Security Act required all airports to provide explosion detection screening of all checked baggage by Dec. 31, 2002. PDX met that requirement by temporarily installing bag screening devices in the ticket lobby. However, the large devices are bulky and their awkward configuration has significantly cramped the space available for travelers.

Construction should start in 2004 on the $50 million project, which is intended to not only move screening equipment out of the ticket lobby to create more space and comfort, but also simplify the screening process for travelers.

"Currently, at our busiest time, we've almost maximized our capacity in the ticketing lobby," Johnson said. "This allows travelers to return to the old days when they handed their bag to an airline representative and they were on their way."