BG Blog: Envisioning The Best Future For ABIA’s Expansion
It may seem impossible to think that a $4 billion dollar multi-decade community-changing infrastructure project could mostly go unnoticed in Austin politics.
But that's exactly what's happening with the much-needed expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA), while other projects like the reconstruction of Interstate 35 and the Project Connect mass transit system attract far more attention (and controversy).
If we think about the times when the airport has popped up in local politics in recent years, it's usually over matters such as the near misses that happened last year and attracted Federal agency reactions. Or there was the somewhat controversial Council vote in 2022 regarding where a new storage tank facility should be built.
Otherwise, major contracts regarding the airport’s construction and some of the roughly five dozen building projects related to its expansion come across the council dias fairly, requiring tens or hundreds of millions of dollars, and don’t generate much more than cursory discussion before being approved.
As just one recent example of substantial amounts of money moving around even in the early stages of the airport expansion, a recent meeting of the Airport Advisory Commission included more than $280 million in contracts that would go on to City Council for approval. For comparison purposes that’s more than the entire budget for the city’s Affordability Unlocked housing program-an offshoot of Project Connect-which has received far more attention and consideration in recent years.
What’s In The Expansion?
Even though the airport's expansion will be a slow-moving project, it's already underway, which means we should look at many of its component pieces, what it will look like in the next 20 years, and what that could mean for the local economy. A raw list of the airport's projects is honestly kind of staggering.
Here are the highlights of what’s expected over the next 10 years at ABIA:
New Concourse B: At least 20 new gates in a new concourse building connected to the Barbara Jordan Terminal via an underground pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways. Potential expansion to 40 gates, more than doubling the current 34-gate capacity.
Underground Pedestrian Tunnel: A tunnel equipped with moving walkways will connect Concourse B to the existing terminal.
Arrivals and Departures Hall: A new, larger arrivals and departures area that will feature additional ticketing counters, check-in counters, and expanded baggage claim carousels. The existing Red Parking Garage will be demolished to make room.
Additional Parking Garage: A new parking garage behind the Blue Garage will replace the Red Garage.
West Terminal Expansion: An 80,000-square-foot expansion on the west end of the Barbara Jordan Terminal.
Terminal Restroom Makeover: Updated restroom fixtures, countertops, and mirrors.
New Taxiways and Aircraft Bridges: Replacement of two existing taxiways to make room for Concourse B, with new taxiways built further south. Two multi-million-dollar aircraft bridges that will accommodate even the largest twin-engine passenger planes. Demolition of the South Terminal will clear space for new taxiways.
All this will be paid for through a combination of incoming airport revenue, public-private partnerships (leveraging bonds and other financial tools whenever possible), and state and federal assistance where applicable.
It's also worth noting that the airport recently named a brand new CEO, with this project placing a tremendous amount of responsibility, diligence, and expectations upon its new top executive.
Long-Term Implications
Every workforce leader in the area has been speaking loudly in recent years about how the combination of the airport expansion, Project Connect, the Interstate 35 reconstruction and other major infrastructure projects will cause demand for more than 10,000 new skilled trades workers per year for over a decade.
That demand will create massive opportunities and jobs for contractors, subcontractors, and related professional fields, generating tens of billions of dollars per year in economic activity.
Hotels and other hospitality businesses eagerly await the airport's expansion because of the influx of new guests and customers entering the airport and into the larger city economy.
Bringing at least 20 million more people into Central Texas every year translates into many more hotel stays and meals served, but it also has more long-term impacts that will be felt in other areas.
More direct flights from all over the globe also mean many more opportunities for business travelers to explore Austin, conduct deals, bring investment, and, in general, spur the local economy to even greater heights.
The growth of the Austin Airport is one more by-product of the Region's continued popularity for residents and businesses walking to the area in recent decades. Further to the south, San Antonio also continues to grow. For many years, the proximity of the two cities caused area leaders and speculators to suggest that a metroplex approach with a joint airport could be beneficial.
The Austin-Bergstrom expansion is one more signal that we've moved beyond the point where a conjoined Metroplex would be possible. However, the argument that the two cities should coordinate their macro transportation plans in complementary and beneficial ways is valid.
That could take the form of each airport serving different portions of the larger airline industry demand to best serve each market, with coordinated transportation possibly including a rapid line making it easier and more economical to speed up ground transport between the two cities to help them grow stronger together. Related to the mass transit issue, let’s also hope that Project Connect and airport leadership can work together to make the strongest case possible for federal aid that could help fund the extension of the eastward light rail line all the way to the airport.
It's easy to only think about the airport when we're on the brink of making a trip out of town, which is when it dawns on many of us that making Austin-Bergstrom the best that it can be is another undeniable need for the Austin area.
While city and area leaders continue to conduct the quiet business related to the expansion without much noise or criticism, it's important for everyone with a stake in the area’s better fortunes to stay involved and informed to ensure the airport achieves its maximum potential.
//A.J. Bingham, Founder & CEO, Bingham Group, LLC
Questions or Comments? Email at -> aj@binghamgp.com