Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, located in the heart of Atlanta, has been reported as the world’s busiest airport for over 20 years. As the hub for one of the largest airlines, Delta, Hartsfield-Jackson serves over 275K passengers and 1,000 flights on a typical day. Atlanta’s diversity can be seen at the growing Airport as passengers from around the globe land here. The Airport generates a $34.8 billion in economic impact for metro Atlanta and provides over 63,000 jobs, more than any state employer. With the high volume of foot and air traffic, it’s essential the Airport operates efficiently to meet customer expectations and their evolving needs. To further improve Airport operations, the ATLNext development program was created.
ATLNext, which began in 2015, is a $7.5-billion 2030 Master Plan development program for Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The Master Plan will update and expand the Airport to maintain anticipated passenger and air traffic growth. Russell, alongside WSP and CBRE|Heery make up the joint venture partnership called Atlanta Aviation Associates (A3) responsible for program/project management support, quality management, safety oversight, project controls, contract administration, document control, invoice compliance, constructability reviews, as well as supplier diversity outreach, monitoring, and reporting. Working closely with the Department of Aviation, Russell credits the partnership’s success to the team’s ability to seamlessly integrate with the Department of Aviation as an extension of the staff. Communication with the Owner has been key to the team’s ability to execute the projects successfully.
A3 manages over 500 projects ranging from airfield improvements, parking expansions, new gate additions, to mechanical and electrical system updates, and gate improvements. With anticipated refreshes needed every 10 years, the projects are diverse in size and type. Typically, $500 million design and construction projects are executed each year. The sheer volume of airport traffic makes this program unique as the project team must manage and execute complex projects while keeping the Airport up and running as disrupting the streamlined airport operations would impact millions of passengers. The project team has managed to deliver quality projects on time and within budget while working at the operating Airport.
Five years into the Master Plan, a lot has been accomplished. One of the unique projects to date is the Landside Central Passenger Terminal Complex (CPTC) Modernization. Scope included constructing the new north and south curbside upper level roadway canopies, exterior facade improvements, renovation to the twenty (20) entry vestibules, redoing the Domestic Terminal Roof, Security Screening, Composure Area; and Signage improvements for Static signage on the landside. The objective is to bring the existing facilities to a new and modern look and feel similar to the International Terminal. On a technical level, the project was engineered to bear the canopy loads and allow the foundation to be placed while maintaining vehicle and passenger traffic. As the front door entrances to the highest traffic area, it was important the operations had minimal impact on traffic flow, which was proven successful. Other projects that involved maintaining high-level traffic flow included renovating and modernizing the Delta holdrooms and City concourse corridors located on Concourse T, Concourse A, Concourse B and Concourse C North. The work will include new ceilings and LED lighting along the concourse corridors. The holdrooms will receive new and expanded exterior glass, raised ceilings to expand the volume of the space, new LED lighting, new holdroom seating with power outlets, gate podiums, along with new carpet and wall finishes. Due to the limited gate space, Russell helped coordinate the construction promptly, working nights and off-hours, to ensure they were finished on time as to not hinder operations.
The program includes the following projects:
- Concourse T North Gate Addition (Five New Gates)
- Terminal Modernization: Replacing Counters, Carpeting and Flooring, Ceiling Structures, Signage, Installing Glass Panel Windows, and Updating HVAC Systems
- Concourse D Widening
- Parking Deck Expansion (North and South)
- Hotel and Travel Plaza
- Runway and Taxiway Improvements
- New Sixth Runway
- New Cargo Facilities
- Renewal & Replacement Program
- Pedestrian Bridges