San Diego International Airport officials provided an update on the construction of the new Terminal 1 earlier this week. Crews have begun the demolition process of the existing terminal and other structures in the area to make room for the new terminal building.

Officials said the terminal will expand the airport to more than 60 gates and give travelers a seamless and enjoyable experience with plenty of options for shopping and dining. The airport’s authority officially broke ground nearly two years ago.

Nighttime demolition

The airport shared photos showing crews demolishing roadway bridges near the site of the new terminal.

Earlier this month, the Biden Administration awarded the airport with $20 million in funds to support the construction of the new terminal 1. Later this year, airport officials expect a new administration building to open, while the new parking plaza is scheduled to open in late 2024. Along with the parking plaza, improvements will be added to the airport’s roadways system, making it easier for all vehicular, bus, bike, and pedestrian traffic to enter and exit the airport.

Replacing a 54-year-old terminal

When construction concludes, 30 new gates will be offered, along with refreshed selections of food and beverages, news, gifts, retail concessions, and more security checkpoint lanes. In 2025, phase 1A of the terminal is expected to open, adding 19 gates. Then in early 2028, the opening of phase 1B is scheduled, including the final 11 gates. Combined with terminal 2’s gates, the airport will have a total of 62 gates when the new T1 is completed.

Kimberly Becker, President and CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, said the terminal will serve thousands of travelers.

"The Airport Authority has carefully and cautiously continued planning for the replacement of our existing, 54-year-old Terminal 1. The New T1 will provide the customer experience people expect from San Diego by developing a terminal that is modern, efficient, and built to serve the thousands of passengers expected over the next several years.”

According to the airport, the new T1 project is estimated to create between 15,000 and 20,000 jobs for local workers.

“The airport is a major economic driver for the region and the New T1 will make our city more attractive to the millions of people who want to visit and also provide a better travel experience for San Diegans,” said Gil Cabrera, Board Chair of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority. “This project will provide well-paying jobs and numerous contracting opportunities that will aid in the region’s economic recovery.”

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Making it green

The new T1 construction and design will reflect the airport’s industry-leading commitment to sustainability through energy and water conservation and clean-air and zero-waste initiatives, according to the airport.

On Friday, the airport announced that its electric shuttles have traveled more than one million miles.

The original terminal 1 was built in 1967 and was the airport’s only terminal. In its first year of operation, it served 2.5 million passengers. In 2019, the same terminal served more than 12 million passengers.