Major Improvements Planned For Tulsa International Airport

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- The Tulsa Airport Improvements Trust has awarded a $15.9 million contract to a Tulsa firm to renovate Concourse B. 

The action came during a meeting of the trust on Thursday.

The project is part of Tulsa International Airport's overall $164 million Capital Improvement Program and will include the complete renovation of Concourse B which currently houses the gates and operations for Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

According to a news release, the project will be funded through passenger facility charges and will begin in September.

The entire Concourse B project is expected to take 550 days to complete and will employ approximately 200 people.  Once completed, the concourse is expected to have a life span of 20-30 years.

"This will be one of our most visible projects - even more than the construction of our central checkpoint and connector boulevard - as passengers and airlines will continue to use the concourse during its renovation," said Airports Director Jeff Mulder. "We anticipate our renovations will receive a great response from the traveling public as we strive to improve TUL and enhance the passenger experience at our airport".

The release says the renovation will replace electrical, lighting, HVAC systems, roofing, communications and plumbing infrastructure, fixtures, fire protection equipment, and many interior renovations and upgrades.

In addition, the removal of select walls will allow for open gate holding areas along both sides of Concourse B and the ceilings will be raised approximately 8 inches with skylights installed down the center of the concourse.

The contract was awarded to Manhattan Construction Group of Tulsa.

Upon completion of the Concourse B renovation, the airport will begin awarding contracts for the renovation of Concourse A which houses gates and operations for American Airlines, Continental Airlines, and Delta Airlines.  The renovation of both Concourse B and A is expected to take a total of 4 years.