Airside D construction spanning the Parkway at TPA

Tampa International Airport's Airside D construction is now going to great lengths to the northwest of the Main Terminal, with shuttle guideway supports spanning as much as 160 feet being installed this week.

Crews from contractor Middlesex Corporation this week have been working overnight to begin installing the bridge superstructure between the new Airside D shuttle station in the Main Terminal and the construction site.

The first steel girders for the future guideway and concrete girders for the walkway between the shuttles have been lifted onto support piers and now span the George J. Bean Parkway. The steel girders, which were lifted together in pairs, weigh up to 80 tons while the concrete girders weigh as much as 70 tons.

A concrete deck will later be added atop the center girders to form the emergency walkway and to cover two baggage conveyors that will deliver checked bags to the aircraft at Airside D.

Airside D will use the same type of automated shuttles that are currently being installed at Airsides A, C, and E. The steel girders on the outside of the walkway will be fitted with concrete decks will serve as the foundation for poured concrete running surfaces that will function as tracks for the shuttle cars on the guideway.

Structural steel installation to build the framework for Airside D began last month.

The guideway girder installation required overnight closures of the parkway as a pair of cranes lifted the spans into place. People driving to the Red Side of the Main Terminal will be detoured through Blue Side lanes and around the building. Please allow extra time if you plan to visit TPA on these nights and follow detour instructions.

Travelers and workers who need to reach the Airport Marriott, the Air Traffic Control Tower or the Airport Employee Bus will have marked temporary routes to follow, as well.

Construction crews will need more time to put up the supports south of the Parkway, necessitating another closure for the service road behind the Airport Marriott from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. the nights on June 12, 15, 16 and 17.

In case of inclement weather, make-up days will be June 18, 19, 22, and 23.

Future closures will be necessary as other elements of the guideway bridge such as the concrete decks and running surfaces are installed.

For more information about the 16-gate Airside D, which is scheduled to open in 2029, please visit AirsideD.com.

Please click on an image or the video of the installation below to enlarge or download it: