by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:32 AM ET, Fri March 15, 2019
Travelers who fly in or out of Kansas City International Airport will be excited to learn of the facility will break ground on a new $1.5 billion single terminal March 25.
The Kansas City airport's new terminal is scheduled to open in 2023.
Currently laid out in a three-terminal formation, the Missouri airport has remained mostly unchanged since it debuted in 1972. The massive construction project will help accommodate passenger traffic that has nearly tripled since the original facility opened.
The new terminal will be the largest infrastructure project in Kansas City's history, and the building will be designed Chicago-based Skidmore, Ownings & Merrill. The facility will feature one million square feet of space, 39 gates and create 5,000 jobs.
"A modern airport that is attractive to passengers and airlines is an important competitive advantage for any major metropolitan area," Kansas City Area Development Council CEO Tim Cowden said in a statement. "KC has a long track record of investing in its cultural assets, major league sports facilities, roads, bridges and mass transit options, and a new single terminal at KCI is the next important phase in our region's growth."
Officials from the Kansas City airport are also working on other projects as part of the massive overhaul, including close-in parking; a two-level curbside pickup and drop-off area; expanded flight options and waiting areas at each gate to accommodate an increased number of passengers and larger aircraft; and a revamped travel experience with more post-security amenities.
To celebrate the groundbreaking, festivities will be held at the airport's Terminal A parking structure March 25 at 2 p.m. local time, featuring officials, representatives and partners.
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