A $28-million effort revitalized five gates at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, providing expanded seating capacity, ADA-compliant accommodations, retail space and an outdoor courtyard, all within 18 months.

Spanning 30,000 sq ft, the terminal modernization enhances the airport’s infrastructure for its growing annual passenger count. With demolition of the previous terminal scheduled for January 2023, just before Super Bowl LVII, implementing an alternative gate facility to handle peak flight volumes proved critical to both the project and the airport’s increased tourism traffic. The project team opted to construct a 6,300-sq-ft prefabricated three-gate sprung structure while the original terminal finished hosting its final passengers. Upon completion of the temporary structure, passengers could walk through an enclosed tunnel to the air-conditioned terminal. After the modernized terminal’s completion, the temporary structure was broken down and stored at the airport for use in future expansion projects.

All operations were conducted airside, requiring extensive employee and trade partner security measures, emphasizing both construction and passenger safety.

Security clearance badging, strict visitor policies and gate procedures helped foster a trusted partnership between the airport and construction teams, enabling the project team to complete work on time and under budget in February 2024.