Terminal A is being remodeled to double capacity for securitycheckpoint lanes

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Greeley, Colo.-based Hensel Phelps Construction Company wasselected by the city of San José to perform design/buildwork on the project.
“We decided to go with design/build because it would allow usto get the most airport for our dollar, on time and onbudget,” says Dave Maas, SJC deputy director of airportplanning and development.
“We also saw it as a way to minimize risks given the factthat we’re a land-constrained airport. We’re surroundedby a river on one side and freeways on the other three sides.
“We’re sitting on 1,000 acres, so we have to make themost efficient use of the land and space that we have,” headds. “We knew we would be rebuilding the airport whileoperating it, so we wanted to have one entity involved in thedesign and construction.
“When you have several different projects going at once,there is always a risk of conflict among contractors.
“That’s a risk we’re trying to avoid becausewe’re doing everything in a compressed amount of time,”he adds. “Also, when we started the program, constructionprices had increased 12 percent, so the design/build method wouldprovide a link between the designer and the contractor to deal withconstructability issues, so we could get the most productbuilt.”

And the Winner Is
After a thorough nine-month selection process, San Joséranked San Francisco-based Bechtel Group, Hensel Phelps and NewYork City-based Turner Construction Co. as its top-threedesign/build candidates based on performance and qualifications.
After a mutual agreement to discontinue negotiations with Bechtel– originally the first choice – based on complicationsduring negotiations, the city of San José turned to HenselPhelps, its next top choice. “Hensel Phelps offered a strongdesign/build portfolio, a team of partners including Denver-basedFentress Architects, as well as extensive airport projectexperience that matched the needs of San José to maintain anaggressive schedule in an operating environment,” Maas says.

More Efficient Terminals
The first phase of the two-phase project will replace and upgradeterminal facilities and roads by the end of 2010, while the secondwill be an expansion “triggered” by future airline orpassenger activity, Maas says.
The first major element of the project is the North Concourse ofthe future Terminal B, located between existing Terminal A andTerminal C. The quarter-mile-long space, scheduled for completionfall 2008, will include 10 gates, new shops and restaurants in alight and airy walkway reflecting the San José and SiliconValley environment.
Terminal B will complete and support the North Concourse whenplaced in service in mid-2010. Once Terminal B is open, allairlines currently using Terminal C will move to either Terminal Aor Terminal B. Terminal C will then be completely demolished,making way for future expansion of Terminal B.
Terminal A is being remodeled to double capacity for securitycheckpoint lanes on the second floor.
Hensel Phelps is also expanding and relocating ticket counters atstreet level, as well as enlarging space for new concessions andwaiting lounges both pre- and post-security. Terminal Aimprovements are scheduled for completion in summer 2009.

New Technology
Terminals A and B will boast state-of-the-art, automated baggagescreening systems. “We’ll be one of the first airportsto use XTX98100, the latest in baggage screening technology,”Maas says.
“Right now, bags are moved manually on conveyors. With thenew system, once a bag goes to the ticket counter, it will go tothe airplane without anybody having to pick up the bag again.
“Each of our carriers using this new system will savemillions of dollars in their operating costs over time.”
The project is also employing new technology to allow customersmore control over self-ticketing, self-bag drop-off and is offeringa more efficient way to get through the security checkpoints.
“We’re building to the latest Transportation SecurityAdministration [TSA] standards,” Maas explains.
“TSA has been involved in our design to ensure that ourcheckpoints will maintain the flow of passengers and avoid thebottlenecks that can occur now when inspectors have to pull peopleto the side.” Another innovation is the airport’sdecision to implement a renegotiated lease system that will allowairlines to share gates vs. leasing real estate.
“It allows carriers to rent time on a gate vs. having to ownthe gate all day long,” Maas explains. “If they havedelays or just one flight that needs a place to go, we have theability to put them on a gate for a couple of hours. We canactually increase our capacity by doing that.”

Easier Airport Access
In addition to the terminal upgrade, “we are redoing ourhighway system to improve circulation for customers,”according to Maas. Hensel Phelps is renovating the airport’sroadway system with wider, straighter roads and new bridges tobattle traffic congestion. “The program has improvements forsurface parking, rebuilding our ramps and total overhaul of ourairfield, as well,” he adds. “We’ve done most ofthat work already.”
Hensel Phelps is building a 3,350-stall rental car and publicparking garage across the street from Terminal B to provide betteraccessibility to travelers.
“Right now, our rental car facility is congested and requirespassengers to take a 10-minute shuttle bus to get to theterminals,” Maas says. “We wanted to provide a rentalcar facility directly across from the terminals so passengers canwalk across the street instead of taking a bus.
“It will be big enough for all of our rental car companies,and they can wash and fuel cars at the garage for quick turn aroundinstead of having to drive off the airport [site],” heexplains.
“Because this will be more efficient for the rental carcompanies, they are looking forward to both providing betterservice to customers with lower costs of operation.”

Public Reaction
The San José City Council approved a $2.8 billion masterplan for long-term development of the airport in the mid-1990s, butafter 9/11, annual passenger traffic dropped from about 14 millionto 10 million – along with the Silicon Valley economy afterthe dot.com bust, according to Maas.
“If we stretched out our program, it would have escalatedfrom $2.8 billion to $4.2 billion and our financial projectionsdidn’t look like we could afford it,” he says.“That’s why we sat down with our airlines and communitystakeholders in 2005 to redesign the scope of the new airport toaccomplish our goals for modernization within the resources wecould count on.
“Because of our good partnership with the carriers, whoultimately pay the bills, we were successful in streamlining theproject to get the price tag down to about $1.3 billion.”
With Hensel Phelps on board in late 2006, San José couldmove ahead with design and construction of the new airport. “Folks in our community are happy we’re finally gettingit done,” Maas says. “For years and years, we’vetalked about airport improvements but we weren’t able to getstarted right way.
“However, the people of San José clearly understandthat the economic fabric of Silicon Valley must include theairport,” he notes. “They supported several ballotmeasures that enabled the project to proceed.”
He says the airport has enjoyed a lot of community support“to get going and get it done, sooner not later.
“That’s reflected in our construction and the design/
build process,” Maas adds.
“Right now, even though we have the airport torn apart,we’re not getting many complaints because of how fast theproject is taking shape.
“Our residents and business know we’re working as hardas we can to complete their new airport on time in 2010, within thebudget we’ve promised them, to give them a wonderful gatewayfor San José and Silicon Valley,” he says.