Published in Gulfshore Business Online on Sept. 21, 2021

The Lee County Board of Port Commissioners authorized the construction and total budget for the terminal expansion project at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers at a board meeting Tuesday.

The $331-million project focuses on improving the airport’s efficiency by consolidating and streamlining security checkpoints, adding concession space and providing passengers more amenities and options. The terminal expansion project is set to begin in October and construction is planned for three years. The expansion is the second largest public works project in Lee County history, only being surpassed by the airport’s Midfield Terminal Complex construction completed in 2005.

“Southwest Florida International Airport is the front door to our community and supports travel, new business and tourism in our region,” says Kevin Ruane, chair of the Board of Port Commissioners. “We are pleased to start this essential project that will enhance infrastructure and manage growth while vastly improving the passenger experience at RSW. It will also create hundreds of jobs for our local economy.”

Plans for the project include consolidating the Transportation Security Administration checkpoints into a new 16-lane configuration and providing additional seating, concession spaces and a business lounge. In total, more than 164,000 square feet of space will be remodeled and 117,000 square feet of new walkways and concession space will be added to the airport terminal.
The consultant working on design and planning of the RSW Terminal Expansion Project is Atkins North America, Inc. The construction manager/general contractor for the project is Manhattan Construction. The project is being funded with grants from the Florida Department of Transportation, Passenger Facility Charges (PF Cs), airport revenue bonds and Lee County Port Authority construction funds. No ad valorem (property) taxes are used for airport operation or construction.

The Lee County Port Authority operates Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Page Field (FMY) in Fort Myers. RSW is an award-winning, medium-hub airport that served nearly 6 million passengers in 2020 and has had record-breaking traffic this summer.

For more information, go to f!ylq,2a.com.

Photo courtesy Lee County Port Authority