Multi-Million Dollar Project Helps BWI Fight Terrorism
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A $100 million project at BWI will help the fight against terrorism. The project involves expanding one of the airport's oldest concourses to make room for better TSA security equipment.
Rochelle Ritchie explains how security and convenience are coming together.
The executive director for the airport says TSA's outdated equipment at one of the security gates is a major reason for the expansion. He says the project will not only provide more safety but quicker service.
In a post-9/11 world, Executive Director Paul Wiedefeld says his main priority is protecting passengers.
"Security is the number one issue here at BWI," Wiedefeld said.
He says having modern technology at security gates is a necessity for airports across the country, including his, and is part of the reason why revenue from ticket surcharges and airline fees are being used to expand the oldest concourse at the airport, Concourcse C.
"This will allow them to use their newest technology," he said.
The $100 million being used for the renovation will replace outdated security screeners with newer ones. Other security gates at the airport have already soared into a new form of technology that keeps passengers like Don White protected and terrorists perceivable.
"I think we need the measure in place to make sure we are providing the right security," White said.
Besides better screening measures, the project will include adding more lines to Concourse C to get passengers like David Matchan and Lauren Guzman through quicker.
"There's a lot of people that come here. It takes a long time," Matchan said.
"Usually we stand there for a good 20 minutes," Guzman said.
Construction on the project has already taken off and is expected to be completed next spring.
The expansion is also to make room for a growing number of passengers. In the last two years, passenger records have been broken.
The concourse will also be given nearly 9,000 feet in new retail and food space.
