TIA to spend $900 million on improvements

TAMPA — The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority Board has approved spending $928 million on a range of construction projects as part of the first phase of the airport's master plan.

The projects include a $417.5 million automated people mover leading from the main terminal to a $318.7 million consolidated rental car center, a $122.5 million main terminal expansion and other roadway and facility improvements at the airport. The plans for the main terminal expansion include creating outdoor-indoor decks on the outer east and west sides of the terminal, building the consolidated rental car center entranc,e replacing a smoking/observation deck and creating more open space near the shuttle lobbies and shopping areas.

“This is a significant step toward making our 20-year vision for Tampa International Airport a reality, as well as putting thousands of people to work and contributing to the Tampa Bay region's economy,” Tampa International Airport CEO Joe Lopano says in a press release. “These initial projects will help us decongest roadways and curbsides, allow rental car companies to grow, and begin to set the stage for the doubling of passenger capacity projected over the next couple of decades.”