Hartsfield-Jackson's International Terminal Reaches Construction Milestone
Dignitaries Celebrate 'Topping Out' as Final Structural Beam Put in Place
A new global gateway for Atlanta is one step closer today as the final piece of structural steel was placed into the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal.
Mayor Kasim Reed and Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson joined Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta and others for the "topping out" of the 1.2 million-square-foot international terminal. More than 100 guests signed their names on the final structural steel beam before a crane hoisted it into place.
"The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal represents economic stimulus, sound fiscal management, a focus on efficiency and customer-friendly design," DeCosta said. "But most importantly, this facility represents a forward-thinking investment in the future of international travel into and out of metro Atlanta."
DeCosta's comments were followed by remarks from Reed and Anderson. Both spoke of the international terminal's importance and benefits for passengers.
"The construction of the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal continues the Airport's dominance as the No. 1 passenger airport," Reed said. "This international terminal creates opportunities for business with many other countries and creates countless jobs in the city of Atlanta -- not just maintenance and warehouse jobs, but jobs for entrepreneurs and small-business owners."
Other speakers at the event were Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Kenneth Stewart; Valerie Jackson, radio personality and widow of the former mayor for whom the international terminal is named; and Dan Molloy, Hartsfield-Jackson assistant general manager for Planning and Development.
Construction of the international terminal began in summer 2008 and is scheduled to be complete in spring 2012. The international terminal will have 12 gates, nine security checkpoint lanes for international departing passengers and six recheck lanes for domestic connecting passengers. It will eliminate the need for Atlanta-bound international passengers to recheck their baggage after they clear customs.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson is the world's busiest airport, serving more than 88 million passengers annually with nonstop service to 156 U.S. destinations and more than 80 international destinations in 50 countries. The Airport is a frequent recipient of awards of excellence for concessions, operations, architectural engineering and construction -- including being named the World's Most Efficient Airport by the Air Transport Research Society (for more information, go to www.atrsworld.org). It is undergoing $6 billion-plus in capital improvements, which include a new, energy-efficient rental car center; a new, 12-gate international terminal; and aesthetic and functional upgrades to its concourses, people movers and parking services. For more information, go to www.atlanta-airport.com. Check out the Airport's YouTube channel by visiting www.youtube.com/AtlantaHartsfield, and become a fan on Facebook.
