Trailers compete with planes at TIA

The $1 billion expansion of Tampa International Airport is now a reality, evidenced by what can only be described as Trailer City.

That's what airport officials call 39 trailers that will make up the nerve center of the airport work, which includes a new rental car center and a new automated people mover, among other projects.

The trailers are divided into four clusters, and will be home to both the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and Austin Commercial.

The trailers are more than just mobile offices, officials say. Cubicles, break rooms and even multiple-sized conference rooms make up a lot of the portable buildings.

This is all part of the first phase of the overall airport expansion, designed to double TIA's capacity, to 35 million passengers each year. The phases are designed so that each can start
when passenger volume grows enough to warrant it.

The new rental center will be 2.3 million square feet, with a 1.4-mile automated people mover, as well as a 50,000-square-foot expansion of the main terminal. The project will also add more than 2,400 spots to long-term parking.