SALT LAKE CITY-State and city leaders in Salt Lake City have unveiled the new Salt Lake City Airport per a news conference Thursday.
This massive multi-billion dollar project is expected to clear its first hurdle when the first buildings open to travelers September 15.
Thursday, airport officials previewed its opening with an unveiling ceremony by giving media members a tour of the finished product.
This rebuild totaled $4.1 billion in renovations and was funded with airport revenue as opposed to taxpayer dollars.
This entirely new airport consists of a parking garage featuring double the existing capacity, a large terminal and two concourses. These concourses are connected by an underground tunnel meant to make travel more efficient.
As travelers slowly return, airport officials say covid-19 protocols have been imposed to ensure travel is as safe as it can possibly be from the airport.
These include increased disinfectant in high-touch areas (moving walkways, stairs, escalator handrails) and mandatory mask policies.
The airport, dubbed “The New SLC,” brings an entirely new linear layout that will eventually expand Concourse A to the east. The old airport currently stands in this location.
Concourse A is to eventually house Delta Airlines’ gates exclusively and is centered on from the terminal building. This is connected to the concourse with a grand entrance, known as “the Plaza.” The Plaza features 50-foot floor-to-ceiling glass wall windows framing the Wasatch Mountains to the east.
Concourse B, which is slated for an October opening, connects to Concourse A via an underground tunnel. This was built more than 15 years ago in anticipation of the rebuild. Passengers are to walk between the two concourses on moving walkways stretching beneath the taxiway.
