The interim corridor will enable passengers to move between multiple terminals during a four-year construction period
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will open the interim connecting walkway as part of the $2.6bn Terminal 3 West Modernization Project. The corridor, scheduled to open on November 5, 2024, will enable passengers to move between various terminals and boarding areas around the project site and will be in use for the next four years.
The walkway consists of two sections; the first, 440ft in length, begins in Terminal 3 near Gate E2 and ends in the existing rotunda food court area in Terminal 3. The second section, 1,000ft long, runs from the food court to an existing post-security walkway to the International Terminal G gates. SFO had previously connected all passenger terminals post-security, and this interim corridor continues that connectivity.
Modernisation
The $2.6bn Terminal 3 West Modernization project will renovate the existing 650,000 sq ft western half of Terminal 3, including a seismic retrofit, an expanded security checkpoint and new passenger amenities. The project will also create 200,000 sq ft of additional space, allowing additional food, beverage, and retail concessions. The expanded section is expected to open in autumn 2027.
According to SFO, the Terminal 3 West Modernization project will create a welcoming new exterior façade greeting travellers kerbside, more space for check-in, including state-of-the-art self-bag-drop, and new security checkpoints, including one on the mezzanine level for AirTrain passengers. For international arriving passengers, direct access to the Customs Hall located in the International Terminal will be provided via a new Federal Inspection Service (FIS) sterile connector. The project also includes a new six-storey building which will house both airline lounges and operational office space. The renovated and expanded western half is expected to open in autumn 2027, with the six-story building opening in early 2028. A renovated check-in lobby on the eastern end of Terminal 3 is expected to open in early 2029.
Eco ambitions
SFO is targeting LEED Platinum certification for this project. Sustainability features will include daylight harvesting, displacement ventilation, on-site photovoltaic cells, waste heat recovery, low carbon steel and concrete, energy smart baggage handling, dynamic glazing, recycled water, hydration stations, health-friendly materials and green building education.
At its peak, the project is anticipated to employ 500-600 workers and is targeting to award over $173m in contracts to Local Business Enterprises (LBE).
