Early next year, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) will see the arrival of a new four-floor expansion called the West Infill project. This addition will increase the Barbara Jordan Terminal by 75,000 square feet as part of the airport’s Journey With AUS expansion program.
The new building stretches from the western end of the concourse center to the terminal curbside roadway and covers several levels: baggage claim, apron, concourse, mezzanine, and roof. The baggage claim floor will house a new Outbound Baggage Handling System. Steven Real, P.E., a project manager on the Journey With AUS expansion program, explained its impact: “It will improve the flow of the baggage. It’s a much faster system.” According to Real, this upgrade is expected to boost reliability for outbound baggage handling and reduce flight delays as passenger demand grows.
On the apron level, there will be more office space for Department of Aviation employees working on airport expansion projects. The design also includes a wellness room intended for new mothers or anyone needing a quiet space. “It will also allow for quiet meditation,” said Real.
The concourse level will feature three additional ticket counters meant to accommodate airlines currently located at The South Terminal, which is scheduled for removal next year. Each counter provides two ticketing positions. Real noted that public areas would use wood baffled systems made from environmentally responsible materials: “It’s being integrated in the public spaces to soften the space and provide that natural element within the building.”
Art installations are also planned for this area. Space has been reserved for all six pieces from Voyages to be installed in addition to reinstallation of Austin Downtown Cruiser (Day) at Monumental Stairs connecting different floors.
A key feature on this level is Checkpoint 4—a new security checkpoint managed by TSA with six to eight lanes for passengers. Existing checkpoints 2 East and 2 West will be renamed Checkpoint 2 and Checkpoint 3.
The mezzanine floor is set to include an indoor lounge that has not yet been announced publicly. “It will be completely indoors,” said Real.
For climate control, an independent HVAC system is being installed specifically for West Infill: “This is a completely independent HVAC system that feeds this entire building separate from the existing system,” said Real. He added that this setup should improve comfort throughout both West Infill and Barbara Jordan Terminal: “We want the West Infill to be a very comfortable space for the travelers as well as the TSA agents… We have oversized the system to allow for the building to maintain a cooler temperature if necessary for the passenger load in the new checkpoint.”
The project aims for a 3-star rating from Austin Energy Green Building and its exterior design will match earlier expansions completed in 2019. Gensler serves as architect and designer while Whiting-Turner handles contracting duties.
Construction work began in fall 2023 with completion scheduled for spring 2026. “We are putting up final finishes: drywall and paints and finishes,” Real shared.
Passengers can expect expanded facilities at AUS when work concludes in 2026.
