St. Pete-Clearwater Airport Kicks Off $110M Expansion as Travel Booms
Construction started this month on a huge $110 million upgrade at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport. The project will add four gates and update key areas where passengers spend time. Following a record-breaking December that saw 222,132 travelers go through the terminal, county officials supported the expansion by approving $14 million for design plans and construction supervision.
The increase in flights keeps climbing. This quick growth prompted airport officials to expand capacity and add more routes This past fall, flights began going straight to Savannah. Next month adds a direct flight to Colorado Springs, giving travelers more options to get to Florida.
New boarding bridges, a combined security checkpoint, and several new food options lead the list of improvements. Making it easier to move through the terminal is a main priority. The expanded facility will handle busy season crowds much better.
Money from airport operations plus state and federal funding will cover the costs. The airport has never taken on such a big renovation. While teams put in new security equipment, they’ll make more space for stores and places to eat. Good budget planning means locals won’t see tax hikes. Various funding sources share the expense while keeping current costs the same.
Construction moves ahead in careful phases, so regular flights can continue normally. This step-by-step approach keeps daily operations running smoothly.
As Tampa Bay’s transportation system expands, these improvements strengthen the airport’s importance. More destinations and better facilities make this local airport a major regional hub.
