Date: June 19, 2012
A project to expand the security checkpoint screening area at Mid-Continent Airport is planned to begin by the end of July. Currently the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) performs the screening of passengers through three lanes. The throughput of the three lanes is not adequate to meet the demand during the early morning rush and results in an undue inconvenience for the traveling public and excessive wait times. On many occasions, airline passengers have missed their flights due to the back-up at the checkpoint.
Local TSA officials have arranged to obtain equipment to create a fourth lane and also upgrade or replace the equipment in the existing lanes with state-of-the-art technology. The Airport will provide the reconfigured glass partitions, electrical and data connection modifications, along with relocated surveillance cameras based on the expanded layout.
The new layout will have two lanes serving each concourse. The work will be completed in two phases and will be accomplished between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. There will be a minimum of two fully functional checkpoint lanes throughout the duration of the project, which will not exceed ten consecutive calendar days.
The budget for the project is $110,000 and will be funded with Airport revenue either directly or through the repayment of General Obligation bonds. The estimated completion date is mid to late August.
