Indianapolis International Airport (IND/KIND), IN, USA

In 1992 a study commissioned by the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) confirmed the need for a new midfield terminal complex. In 1996, the annual passenger volume exceeded seven million for the first time, and the following year a new Terminal Master Plan Update for the airport put forth a new terminal project, in preference to expanding the existing terminal.

The project is known as 'The New Indianapolis Airport', rather than an expansion, as from the passenger's perspective once complete it really will be a new airport - with a new terminal, in a new location, with a new car parking building, and even new access roads.

Construction on both the new terminal building and a new control tower began in 2003. Completion of the project and opening of the new terminal and facilities are scheduled for 28 October 2008.

Funding

The entire project has a budget of around $1bn. Airport revenues will pay most of the costs through a combination of Federal grants, passenger facility charges, airline rental and landing fees. No state or local tax money is being used to finance construction.

In November 2004, the IAA Board sold more than $221m of 30-year bonds. Money raised has been used to fund construction of portions of the new airport, including the new FAA tower, access roads, apron grading and paving.

BAA Indianapolis LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAA plc, was selected by the IAA in 1995 to manage the Indianapolis International Airport, among other airfields within the State of Indiana.

Contractors

In 2002, St. Louis-based HOK was selected as the master design firm. A further nine companies were also contracted to perform construction manager duties. Indianapolis-based Hunt Construction Group, along with Turner Construction Company (Dallas), were appointed primary construction managers. The other construction companies are Smoot Construction (Indianapolis), Trotter Construction Company, Inc. (Indianapolis), GM Construction, Inc. (Indianapolis), Powers & Sons Construction Company, Inc. (Indianapolis), Harmon Construction, Inc. (North Vernon, IN), and Shiel Sexton (Indianapolis).

Other contractors include: Syska & Hennessey, Inc. and Thornton-Tomasetti Engineers (mechanical and structural engineering); BSA Life Structures and Blackburn Architects (owner's technical representatives); Hanscomb (cost estimating); Leigh Fisher Associates (financial planning); Gibson and Associates, LLC (business outreach / diversity program coordinator); Executive Media (communications).

Projects

Current construction projects underway at the airport include:

• New terminal building
• New air traffic control tower (ATCT)
• Relocation of a portion of Interstate 70 to provide new access from near the junction of the I-465
• New five storey parking garage (5,900 cars and 1,200 rental cars)
• More than 17,000 parking spaces under cover and on the surface
• New 250-room hotel

New midfield terminal

The New Indianapolis Airport will feature a modern 1.2-million-square-foot terminal built in the midfield area of the present airport, between the two main runways (two 20-gate concourses A and B). The heart of the terminal building will be a Civic Plaza, a central gathering point representing the circular shape of the city's central public space, Monument Circle. In addition to serving the necessary security and concessions functions, the plaza will incorporate artwork, provide public event space and enable visitors to sample the character of Indianapolis and the region.

The new terminal will feature more than 40 new and returning national brands, including Starbucks, McDonald’s, CNBC, Brooks Brothers, Harley-Davidson, Borders, Pacific Outfitters, Au Bon Pain, Qdoba, Brookstone, Johnston & Murphy, and Cold Stone Creamery. The dining and shopping centre of the airport will be Civic Plaza, which will offer approximately 25,000ft² of restaurants and retailers.

Each of the two concourses will have approximately 15,000ft² of retail space.

The terminal will feature the first Indianapolis 500 Grill, a sit-down restaurant, which will also be accompanied by a Brickyard Authentics apparel, a collectibles store and an Indianapolis 500 museum.

Cultural Crossroads will be a comprehensive local museum store offering merchandise from eight of Indianapolis's leading museums and cultural institutions including the zoo and the museum of modern art. There will be any number of places to eat at the airport including: Harry & Izzy's restaurant in concourse A, Patachou on the Fly (a bistro), Shapiro's, Indy's famous kosher-style delicatessen, King David Dogs, 96th Street and Giorgio's Pizza Steakburgers.

The terminal roof will be shaped to create a symbolic threshold to the city and state, emanating from the civic plaza. The form is generated by joining the sheltering, centralized shape of an arch with the rise and fall of the building from check-in to departure. The arched roof will shelter the glass walls from the sun and allow sunlight through the skylights. The arching will promote natural cooling, by harnessing the airflow over its surfaces and the roof surface will reflect energy, limit heat gain and channel water for collection. Encompassing high glass walls, the building rises over the plaza to reveal a view of the aircraft apron and the city skyline.

The midfield terminal site is on greenfield land which has been reserved for the airport's expansion since 1975. The plot is nearly a mile wide and over two miles in length.

Landside development will provide roadway access, utilities distribution, vehicle parking, support facilities and commercial development areas for the terminal area complex.

The airside development of the new airport will provide the aircraft parking, access to the runways and aviation support facilities. The midfield layout will facilitate the efficient movement of aircraft. Connector taxiways will align with existing exit taxiways to provide the shortest and most direct route to aircraft gates, thereby reducing taxiing time.

When completed, the new terminal will have 96 passenger check-in counters and two 20-gate concourses with room to expand these further when required. Each of the concourses will reserve one gate at the end for international flights (2007 saw 30,000 international passengers out of 4.1 million deplaning). The international arrivals area will be a separate 24,250ft² area with baggage handling, immigration and a centre for disease control (total 17 staff).

Air traffic control tower (ATCT)

The ATCT is being built as a joint venture between Hunt Construction Group and Smoot Aviation Contractors (Columbus, Ohio). At a cost of $32 million, when completed it will be one of the tallest in the US at 340ft tall. Included in this cost is a new two-story Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility.

The shaft of the ATCT will be 28ft in diameter, with 18in-thick concrete walls. The cab structure above the shaft will accommodate nine air traffic controller positions. From here, the air traffic controller will have an unobstructed, 360°, 5-mile-radius view - the glass window panels will be joined using silicone sealant, as there will be no supporting columns that obscure sections of the airfield.

It was designed by Teng & Associates of Chicago; completion is anticipated in February 2005, and it will be operational 10 to 12 months later.

Interstate 70 (I-70) relocation

In October 2002 work began to relocate a portion of Interstate 70 (I-70). At a cost of $170 million, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) project includes a dedicated I-70 interchange to serve the new airport and a new Six Points Road at I-70 interchange. The project was completed in December 2004, with the official opening taking place on 29 December 2004.