Work to start on $1.5 billion Tampa airport expansion

Construction on Tampa International’s estimated $1.5 billion Airside D terminal will kick off with a ceremonial groundbreaking Tuesday.

The event will mark the official beginning of work on a project that is expected to be completed in 2028 and help accommodate growth as the number of annual passengers at the airport increases from an estimated 25 million now to 35 million in 2037.

Construction is starting just a couple of weeks after the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority’s board approved $91 million for onsite work to begin. That work includes installing security fencing around the perimeter, concrete removal, establishing contractor offices and utility work.

Airside D will be Tampa International’s fifth terminal and the first one built in about 20 years.

The authority board approved the design build contract in 2023.

The 600,015-square-foot terminal is being built in the same spot as the previous Airside D which was torn down in 2007. You can see it in the northwest corner of the main terminal behind the food court.

According to the airport, the space was most recently used as a hardstand for aircraft staying overnight.

Plans for the 16-gate, two-level terminal call for glass boarding bridges, a mezzanine, two lounges, an international passenger arrival processing area, shopping and dining and a new shuttle system.

The airside is the third — and final —phase of Tampa International’s Master Plan.

According to the airport, the first two phases included a redevelopment of the main terminal as well as the construction of the rental car center, the central utility plant and the SkyCenter One office building. The work also included the SkyConnect Automated People Mover and a roadway expansion.