The top stories on CBS4.com
Nov 3, 2009 11:29 am US/Eastern
MIA's New North Terminal Open For Travelers
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
American Airlines passengers at Miami International Airport are the first to try out the newly refurbished North Terminal, which officially opened early Tuesday morning.
A second security checkpoint along the 1.3 mile portion of the North Terminal will open Thursday, said Greg Chin, MIA spokesman.
On Monday, workers applied the finishing touches in preparation for Tuesday's travelers, Chin said. He added that the ticket counters would be completely relocated by Friday.
The North Terminal will have a new ticket counter area for American Airlines and its partners, two new security checkpoints to replace the C-D checkpoint, along with new gates and new curbside space for check-in.
It is roughly the size of 61 football fields and is the largest terminal expansion project in the world. The Terminal has been the center of controversy since work began on it in early 2000. Costs of the refurbishing have run well-beyond early estimates and have ended up costing billions.
Originally scheduled to open in 2006 and projected to cost under $975 million, the now $2.9 billion construction project won't be completely finished until March 2011.
Still to be installed, among other things, is the $135 million Automated People Mover, a train that will run along the roof of the new terminal.
Once it's fully complete, the North Terminal will handle 70 percent of the passengers coming through Miami International Airport.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Burned Teen's Family Staying Positive
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
