The Columbia Metropolitan Airport(CAE) will soon start the next phase of its multi-million dollar checkpoint expansion project with construction moving inside the terminal. Beginning the week of September 30, temporary walls will be installed near the security screening and exit lanes – rerouting both departing and arriving passengers around the impacted areas. Directional signage will be used to help ease the burden of the needed temporary adjustments to the flow of traffic.
“Construction trucks and temporary walls are signs of growth, expansion and progress,” said Mike Gula, President & CEO of CAE. “But as part of that needed growth and expansion comes inevitable pain points for our valued passengers, tenants, concessionaries and staff. The team is working diligently to ensure proper directional signage is in place to keep passenger traffic moving smoothly and with as little strain as possible.”
For these phases of the project, the security screening areas and arrival/departure lanes will be the main areas affected. Directional signage will be used on the temporary walls to direct passengers where to go – as they head toward their gates or are exiting to the main lobby.
It is estimated that the first phase will last roughly 90 days, and the second phase will last through early 2025. Plans are in place to have all construction taking place after hours to minimize the overall noise disruption throughout the terminal.
Upon completion, the checkpoint will increase security screening lanes from two lanes to four lanes – providing a more efficient experience for the increasing number of passengers CAE is projected to see in the coming years.