International passengers will spend less time at Metro Airport's new North Terminal when it opens in 2008, as airport leaders put more money Thursday toward building a larger-than-expected customs and immigration center.
An extra $2.5 million will pay for four more immigration booths, bringing the total to 14; a second baggage carousel, and more room for the extra booths, conveyors and passengers.
The immigration center should be able to handle 800 passengers an hour when fully staffed, offering Lufthansa and British Airways the capacity to land two international flights within 25 minutes of each other.
The Wayne County Airport Authority Board, which oversees the airport's management, approved the expense at its meeting Thursday.
The expansion brings the construction costs for the new terminal to $300 million. The money has been shifted from a $55-million reserve fund established for unexpected expenses associated with the project. In all, the North Terminal is expected to cost $443 million, including design, construction and demolition costs.
The airport has sold bonds to pay for the terminal. Those bonds will be paid back through a $4.50 fee charged to all departing passengers.
Metro Airport CEO Lester Robinson said at the board meeting Thursday that demolition of the airport's vacant Marriott Hotel has started and work should start on the terminal's foundation next month.
In related news, Robinson announced plans to rebuild one of the airport's six runways. The runway, the easternmost of the airport's four parallel runways, is used primarily for arrivals. The airport authority put an additional $6.8 million -- totaling $11.7 million -- toward design and administrative costs associated with rebuilding that runway and its parallel taxiway. The project, which will cost about $80 million, is expected to start this year and wrap up in 2007.
Detroit Free Press
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For more information regarding the new North Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport, visit the contruction website.
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