The SkyConnect trains have arrived at the Port of Tampa Bay and made their way to TIA this last Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 reports the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Construction has now moved closer to completion with the new 1.4 miles, $417 million automated train system. The 34,200-pound train can transport up to 55 people and their luggage every two minutes.
It has taken 6,900 workers since November 2014 to push the project building SkyConnect and the consolidated rental car center to near completion. The main structure was finished earlier this year.
Each car took a month by boat to reach Port Tampa Bay.
Upon delivery, the cars will go through rigorous testing, with the end game of opening to the public in early 2018.
Once SkyConnect is up and running, each trip from the main terminal to the rental car center will run about five minutes, including a stop at the parking garage. Upon arrival at the rental car center, passengers will find 16 various rental car brands – double what the airport currently offers. The center will also offer kiosks for acquiring boarding passes and checking bags. This addition to TIA is expected to ease transportation woes in the sky and on 275.
This initial structure is phase 1 of the TPA’s Master Plan for expansion, it also includes 69 additional new shops and restaurants.
Phase 2 of the expansion costs an additional $543 million. Among several additions for phase 2, TIA plans to build the Gateway Development Area, which includes new commercial spaces for hotels, and retail outlets, priced at $121.7 million. This area also includes new passenger pickup and drop-off curbsides with express lanes for those traveling without bags. In addition, Phase 3 of the plan features a 16-gate airside.
Mega is a proud partner in the construction cleanup of the new airport expansion. We care about the economic growth of our beautiful home of Tampa Bay and every area of the country we serve. This expansion signals Tampa’s acknowledgment of economic and community growth and we take pride in being part of that. We will continue to uphold our 3R Guarantee of Relationships, Reliability, and Results and be the beacon of servant leadership that Tampa Bay looks to.
