Spokane International Airport is in the process of relocating key utilities, setting the stage for the second phase of its Terminal Renovation and Expansion, or TREX, program, which aims to build a 255,000-square-foot Central Hall, says Alannah Toft, marketing and communications manager at Spokane International Airport. 

Last month, workers began demolishing a 149,000-square-foot area spanning from the Concourse C parking garage to the Concourse A and B sky bridges, says Brittany Storms, senior project manager. As a result, driving, parking, and dropping off passengers at the airport have been significantly impacted, with lane closures and the elimination of the airport’s paid hourly parking lot. Starting June 1, the inbound three lanes were reduced to two lanes, Storms adds. 

Construction work is being executed by Garco QD Builders a Joint Venture, a strategic partnership between Spokane-based Garco Construction Inc. and Nevada-based Q&D Construction LLC. The Alliance Inc., an architectural design firm based in Minneapolis that does business as Alliance, is designing the project. Spokane Valley-based Mountain Dog Sign Co. Inc. is providing signage throughout the facility to direct travelers around construction. 

While many Spokane travelers have grown accustomed to a relatively quick arrival process, airport leadership says they want to emphasize the importance of adhering to the standard guideline of arriving two hours ahead of a domestic flight in order to give travelers enough time to park, navigate check-in and security lines, and drop off baggage. Additionally, American Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, and Sun Country Airlines will relocate from Concourse A to Concourse C, Toft says.

“We now really encourage travelers to take extra time when arriving at the airport,” Toft says. “The normal is going to be disrupted.” 

The work being completed now supports the future construction of Central Hall, Toft says. Workers are in the process of moving many of the airport’s utilities to a different area before construction and renovations can begin, she explains.

Central Hall is an estimated $335 million renovation project that will consolidate security screening checkpoints for all airlines, featuring a post-security hall connecting the A, B, and C concourses. Depending on funding, the Central Hall project is expected to break ground in 2027, Toft says. 

The first phase of the TREX program was unveiled in late May and features a completed expansion of the Concourse C terminal. The 140,000-square-foot addition includes three new gates, six new ticket counters, and a suite of new passenger amenities.