City leaders, contractors and airport stakeholders gathered Friday to formally launch the Will Rogers World Airport terminal expansion.

Among other improvements, the $89 million project will add four new airline gates, a consolidated security checkpoint and much-needed greeting lounge space.

“From the additional gate space, to impressive new public circulation areas, we’ve reached the point where we can start talking about this expansion in present tense,” said Mark Kranenburg, airports director. “This is the point where we can see our vision truly start to come to life.”

Joining Kranenburg in the groundbreaking celebration were Mayor David Holt, Airport Trust Chairman Larry McAtee, John Semtner with FSB and Bryan Timberlake of Timberlake Construction.

“Will Rogers plays such a critical role in our city and its economic growth,” said Holt. “Physically, it’s the first impression for most job creators and visitors, and the level of air service it provides has a direct correlation to our city’s level of economic opportunity across virtually all business sectors. This project will have a major positive effect on all the things that make our airport successful, and therefore it will have a major positive effect on our city’s economy.”

The ceremony marks the beginning of the first major expansion for WRWA in 12 years. The last project, completed in 2006, focused on updating the ‘60s-era terminal building. This expansion focuses on the need for additional airline capacity, a streamlined security checkpoint, improved public circulation space and enhancing the overall customer experience.

FSB, an Oklahoma City-based, architectural-engineering-planning firm, led the design and engineering process for the project, joined by partner HOK, which provided conceptual design services.

One highly anticipated feature of the project is an elevated public circulation area that will give non-ticketed visitors a place to view airplanes.

Oklahoma City-based Timberlake Construction is the general construction contractor for the project.

The relocation of the center elevator that connects WRWA’s pedestrian tunnel, baggage claim and ticketing levels is also underway. The realignment of this elevator will provide congestion relief and improved line-of-sight in both the ticketing and baggage claim lobbies. Steps are being taken to ensure that nearby escalators stay open to the public during this construction process.

Construction is expected to be complete in the second quarter of 2021.

The airport services 28 nonstop airports with an average of 74 daily departures.

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