Ground was broken at Lindbergh Field on an expansion of Terminal 2 Wednesday. KPBS reporter Katie Orr says the airport’s being expanded now that it’s definitely staying near downtown San Diego.
The first priority of the Airport Authority is to build a large parking lot where airplanes can park overnight. Then work will begin on 10 new departure gates and building a double-decker road that will separate departing and arriving passengers. Airport Board Member Bruce Boland says the renovations are needed now that it’s certain the airport won’t be relocated.
“We are here at Lindbergh Field. This is our airport as far into the future as any of us sitting in this room can see. And we are taking the charge and moving forward to improve the airport to the very best we can make it,” he says.
Boland says the renovations to Terminal 2 will work with the Destination Lindbergh plan which sets long term goals for the airport. The $1 billion expansion is expected to be complete in 2013. It does not include a parking garage on San Diego Bay which was strongly opposed by the city of San Diego.
