The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority (MSCAA) Board of Commissioners has approved the selection of Flintco, LLC as the primary contractor for Memphis International Airport’s (MEM’s) B Concourse modernization construction and redesign project. The total of the contract is $122,582,530. The board also approved a $32,000,038 contract with Aero Bridgeworks for new jet bridges that will be a part of the modernization project.
The contractor selections will allow construction to begin in September. The project is expected to be completed in early 2021. The multi-year, multi-phase plan will involve the modernization of the spine and east leg of MEM’s B Concourse as well as consolidation of all airline, retail, and food & beverage businesses into the remodeled concourse. The redesign will include the addition of wider corridors, moving walkways, larger boarding areas, higher ceilings and increased natural lighting. Additional amenities and concessions options will also be added. The project will also feature much-needed seismic upgrades to the B Concourse. The airlines and food and retail tenants are operating out of the A and C Concourses while the B Concourse is closed for construction.
MEM’s previous operational layout was ideal for hub operations. However, Delta Air Lines’ removal of its hub operations created a dynamic in which passengers, airlines, and retail and food businesses were spread out across three concourses. In addition, the nearly 50-year-old building was not built to modern seismic standards. Should the airport continue its passenger growth trends, additional gates will be available to accommodate more air service.
The new jet bridge contract is the result of the airport’s decision to purchase all-new passenger boarding bridges rather than refurbishing existing ones.
“This is a huge milestone as the reinvention of MEM becomes a reality,” said Scott Brockman, MSCAA president and CEO. “The end result will be a revolutionary new travel experience for Memphis passengers.”
