Tampa International boosts curb appeal

The first express curbsides in the U.S. double landside capacity, enhance safety and streamline passenger flow

As space-constrained airports seek ways to add more capacity to their curbs, one airport has found a solution. Tampa International Airport, situated on just 3,300 acres, doubled the capacity of its curbsides by introducing the first express curbsides in the U.S., designed exclusively for passengers who do not check baggage.

In the three years since the Blue Express Curbsides became operational, the TPA has:

• Reduced main terminal curbside traffic by 50%

• Enhanced pedestrian and vehicular safety

• Improved air quality

• Elevated the passenger experience

“Tampa International prides itself on being an airport innovator,” said Jeff Siddle, TPA’s vice president of planning and development. “We’ve done it in the past with the world’s first Automated People Mover in an airport, and we did it with the express curbs. Looking forward, we will continue to seek new, innovative ways to improve airport efficiency and the overall passenger experience.”

Surveying passengers

TPA’s 2013 Master Plan Update projected passenger volumes would grow from 17 million to more than 31 million over 20 years. Growing passenger demand, combined with the rising popularity of ride-share services and other changes in transportation technology, would put significant pressure on the airport’s existing infrastructure – particularly drop-off and pickup curbs.

TPA is one of only a few airports in the U.S. with entrances on both sides of the terminal, one on the north (Blue) side and one on the south (Red) side. To serve each side, the airport built eight Red Side lanes and eight Blue Side lanes, which circle the airport on two levels — one level for drop-offs and the other for pickups. The configuration has served the airport well

for decades. However, given the anticipated growth in passenger volumes, airport officials knew more capacity would be needed.

Seeking a curbside design that would serve passengers for years to come, airport officials, along with HNTB, the project’s architect and engineer of record, designed a concept largely informed by the results of a 2015 TPA passenger survey. In the survey, 53% of arriving and departing passengers (approximately 11.5 million people annually at the time) said they did not check baggage or need to stop at baggage claim.

The survey finding sparked an idea: If more than half of passengers aren’t checking baggage, is there a way to separate them from passengers who do check bags, increase curbside capacity and streamline their journeys from curb to gate? The answer led to the TPA Main Terminal Curbside Expansion program, a $185 million, multiphase effort to deliver the Blue Express Lanes (Phase 1) and the Red Express Curbsides (Phase 2).

The express curbsides consist of four new outer lanes on each side and on each level of the terminal for a total of 16 new lanes and 660 feet of corresponding curb. The new outer express lanes are intended to primarily serve carry-on-only passengers, while the existing four inside lanes are reserved for travelers who check their bags.

HNTB also designed a three-story vertical circulation building – between the eight inside lanes and the eight new outer express lanes – to streamline the passenger journey from curb to gate. Carry-on-only passengers exit vehicles at the express curbsides, enter the vertical circulation building and ascend to the third floor, where an enclosed pedestrian bridge carries them safely over the existing inside lanes. Bypassing crowds at the ticket counter and baggage claims, express passengers go directly to the main terminal’s transfer level for a faster, seamless transition from curb to gate. Arriving passengers reverse the journey.

Tom Rossbach, AIA National Aviation Practice Director

Executing multiple projects in multiple phases

The Blue and Red Express Curbsides involve multiple phases and projects. Phase 1 built the Blue Express Curbsides, roadways, a new highly sustainable Central Utility Plant, a new police and maintenance office building and a new pedestrian bridge. The first phase was delivered two months early via progressive design-build in November 2021, just in time for the Thanksgiving rush.

Phase 2, now underway, is delivering the Red Express Curbsides and an automated people mover station that will connect to a new airside terminal, known as Airside D, now in design. The Red Express Curbsides are scheduled to open in summer 2025.

The airport’s former Central Utility Plant, housed in the administration building, was demolished to make way for the new Red Express Curbsides and vertical circulation building. Otherwise, the approach is nearly identical to the Blue Express Curbsides project. The only major difference is the Red Express Curbsides will use an existing pedestrian bridge instead of constructing a new one.

The existing bridge, which links passengers to the Marriott hotel, increases the complexity of the south-side project. First, the pedestrian bridge must remain operational during construction to allow passengers access to the hotel. Second, because the Red Side vertical circulation building will be constructed around the existing overhead Short-Term Parking Garage, crews will need to strengthen the pedestrian bridge’s supporting columns before construction begins, requiring precise design and construction coordination.

Managing construction without disruption

Construction of the express lanes, curbs and vertical circulation building was performed adjacent to the airport’s existing and highly active curbsides. Detailed maintenance of traffic plans, multiple construction phases, barriers, the safe demolition of structures and temporary roadway signage kept heavy passenger drop-off and pickup traffic flowing safely and the airport operating 24/7. Even in the midst of construction, TPA was recognized as the No. 1 Large Airport in Customer Satisfaction for two consecutive years (2022, 2023) by J.D. Power and Associates.

That year also marked the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which could have thrown the project off track. However, because it was deemed essential, the Blue Express Curbsides project not only continued but set the bar for safe practices and protocols long before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its recommendations.

Finding space where there is none

Tampa International Airport’s space-constrained curbside area left little room for each of the new 84,000-square-foot vertical circulation buildings. However, HNTB solved the challenge by building the new Blue Side facility in a vacant space under the Short-Term Parking Garage. Integrated with the parking garage, the vertical circulation building’s graduated ceiling follows the angle of the short-term parking garage ramps above.

In addition to the building’s inclusive design, architectural elements create a sense of place and a positive passenger experience. Conveying the look and feel of Tampa, the interior features gleaming terrazzo floors, graduated rows of overhead LED lights – an abstract representation of ocean waves, and a

three-sided glass exterior that bathes the air-conditioned interior in sunlight. Floor-to-ceiling art installations celebrate Florida’s lush tropical plant life while adding vibrant color and visual interest.

“One of our top goals as an airport is providing our guests with a world-class experience,” said John Tiliacos, TPA’s executive vice president of operations and customer service. “These express curbs are revolutionary in their design and provide our travelers who don’t have checked bags a faster and more efficient travel experience.

Fulfilling its main purpose of efficiently and safely moving passengers, the vertical circulation building’s grand staircase, elevators, escalators, high-contrast materials and artwork aid in wayfinding and ensure accessibility to all.

Blue Express Curbsides Awards

The Blue Express Curbsides have received multiple industry awards since they opened in 2021:

The Florida Department of Transportation’s 2022 Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year

American Council of Engineering Companies’ Florida 2022 Honor Award

Engineering News-Record Southeast 2022 Best Project, Airport/Transit

Engineering News-Record Southeast 2022 Project of the Year

Advancing multiple initiatives

Design-Build Institute of America Florida, 2023

Aviation Project of the Year

Design-Build Institute of America Florida, 2023

Overall Project of the Year

Design-Build Institute of America, national awards, 2023 Merit, aviation category

Associated Builders and Contractors 2023 Eagle Award, Florida Gulf Coast Excellence in Construction

Thanks to the Blue and Red Express Curbsides, TPA will not need to build additional curbside infrastructure to accommodate demand for several years. That said, other projects, such as the airport’s plans to expand the Main Terminal, can proceed as envisioned because of the express curbsides’ creative, spacesaving design.

Tampa International Airport is also well-positioned to accommodate automated and connected vehicles as they become more mainstream. The express curbsides’ 16 lanes are technology-enabled to support future mobility trends and are expected to become a premium as AV/CVs pull up to the curb only long enough to pick up and deposit passengers but never park.

Further, reducing the number of idling vehicles has reduced greenhouse gas emissions at the airport, mitigating TPA’s environmental impact.

“Passenger needs and expectations are changing,” said Joe Lopano, TPA CEO. “Our revolutionary Blue and Red Express Curbsides further cement TPA’s place as an industry leader, promoting smart growth that will translate into positive

economic impact for our region.n

Tampa International’s new CUP: An architectural gem and environmental powerhouse

Phase 1 of Tampa International Airport’s Blue and Red Express Curbsides included a new Central Utility Plant to replace the airport’s 50-year-old facility, which was demolished to make way for the Red Express Curbsides. Challenging the conventional definition and role of central utility plants, airport leaders chose to make the new $46 million single-story structure an architectural gem.

Work of art

Situated just east of the FAA tower, the 10,000-square-foot curved building, with a sweeping roofline and adjacent cooling tower, echoes the curve of the nearby departure roadway. For the number of motorists who would drive by the facility daily, HNTB integrated a massive glass-paneled wall that allows passersby to marvel at the maze of brightly colored pipes and mechanical equipment needed to heat and air condition the Main Terminal and the Main Terminal SkyConnect station.

Adding to the aesthetics, reclaimed water in the plant’s chillers feeds a waterfall integrated into the building’s exterior. At night, the exterior’s metal cladding reflects multicolored LED lighting to highlight the unique look.

Workhorse of sustainability

Built at a higher elevation to protect against catastrophic flooding, the CUP houses state-of-the-art technology that provides insights about current energy use and how to reduce it. Specific measurable results to date include:

• 30% greater efficiency, equal to eliminating 3,000 metric tons of CO2 or taking about 620 vehicles off the road each year

• 25 million gallons of water saved annually by using reclaimed water

• 33% greater overall capacity

• A heat recovery chiller that significantly reduces demand for boilers and natural gas

Like the express curbsides, TPA’s new Central Utility Plant, a work of art and a workhorse of sustainability, sets a new industry standard.