The Lee County Board of Commissioners have approved a $1 billion expansion project at Southwest Florida International Airport that will add 14 new gates.
The new terminal, named Concourse E, will feature a new TSA checkpoint, an upgraded baggage handling system, and expanded retail spaces. The project also includes upgrades to taxiways and utilities.
The estimated cost of the expansion exceeds $1 billion. Funding will come from various sources, including $900 million in airport revenue bonds and federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
The first round of borrowing, expected to total around $600 million, will help cover initial construction costs.
The expansion also includes roadway modifications to ensure smooth traffic flow around the airport. Officials are working on traffic management plans to minimize the impact on travelers, especially during peak tourist seasons.
The official groundbreaking is set for after January 1, 2025, and the entire project is expected to take approximately three years to complete.