Lee County Port Authority began Southwest Florida International Airport’s Terminal Expansion Phase 2 on Oct. 1 following the Board of Port Commissioners approval for the construction and total budget for the project Sept. 5.

The scope of the more than $1 billion project includes expansion of the airport terminal on all three levels to include a new ticketing lobby and bag claim area, a new baggage handling system and a new Concourse E with 14 initial gates and the infrastructure to support 19 gates in the future. Concourse E will include a new TSA checkpoint and expanded retail and food and beverage concessions, airside improvements, chiller plant building upgrades and road and curbside improvements that will reconfigure and expand terminal access roadways.

The project is being funded by airport revenue bonds, federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration, Passenger Facility Charges and state grants from the Florida Department of Transportation. No ad valorem taxes are used for airport operations or construction.