A new airport terminal for Tampa, the future hi-tech metropolis of Florida

Tampa never ceases to amaze. Although it is not one of the largest cities in Florida, it shows enviable determination in its pursuit of milestones, particularly in the infrastructure sector where the city administration is focusing its efforts. Roads, highways, and interchanges are being continuously built; new bridges are blooming across the bay that bears the city’s name; the presence of innovative data centers is growing; and new runways and international airport terminals (three of them within an 80-kilometer radius between Tampa, Sarasota, and St. Pete-Clearwater) are being expanded.

For the Tampa International Airport, a $1.5 billion project has just been launched aiming to build the Airside D, a new two-story terminal with 16 gates, two lounges, and a wide range of commercial and dining activities. According to the project timeline, the new hub will open to the public in 2028.

The decision to invest in this strategic airport infrastructure comes from the need to accommodate the growing passenger traffic, which has been significant in recent months. According to the airport’s official projections, 25 million passengers passed through the airport in 2024, compared to 23.9 million in 2023. In terms of rankings, Tampa International Airport is in 26th place among U.S. airports, though the number of non-stop international flights places it among the favorites for tourists and business travelers moving through this part of the U.S. to destinations like London, Mexico City, Panama, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Amsterdam.

Indeed, according to data from the airport management company, last year, 1.4 million non-stop international passengers traveled through Tampa—200,000 more than the previous year.

In addition to starting the construction of Airside D, Tampa has announced a series of innovations aimed at enhancing and making the travel experience more comfortable for passengers. New services have been introduced at the security checkpoints, automated shuttles have been implemented, and direct flights to Vancouver, British Columbia, will begin in June 2025 with Air Canada operating two flights a week. This is also the first stop for travelers heading to Asian destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul.

Other airlines are also expanding their routes from Tampa International Airport, including Frontier Airlines, which will add five new non-stop destinations to Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Portland. Starting in June, Delta will inaugurate non-stop flights from Tampa to Austin, Texas, while Breeze Airways will offer direct flights to Erie, Pennsylvania, twice a week.

According to projections from the airport company, the airport’s expansion will allow it to handle 35 million passengers annually by 2037.

The goal of the local administration is to give the Tampa area a new “vision.” The ongoing planning aims to make Florida’s third-largest city a true metropolis, with a progressive rejuvenation of its population and a stronger drive toward becoming a hub for the high-tech industry, focusing on artificial intelligence, biomedicine, and the most innovative logistics services.

Today, the city has nearly half a million residents registered in the Census, but its economic activities generate a broader impact, involving approximately 3.5 million people. Over the years, Tampa has undergone a profound transformation, evolving from a city known for manufacturing Cuban tobacco into a center of attraction for young talent and high-profile businesses. This rapid economic and social development has led to a significant reduction in the average age of those living and working here, which now stands at around 36 years.

Investments in new airport infrastructure are accompanied by extensive road planning, with major projects designed to enhance urban mobility and minimize congestion in the most crowded areas.

This includes new road and highway interchanges, such as the Westshore Interchange, a strategic junction for city mobility. The design has been entrusted to Lane Construction, a subsidiary of the Webuild Group, with work commencing this year.

The Westshore district not only provides access to Tampa International Airport but is also the largest Central Business District in Florida, home to 4,000 companies. Therefore, modernizing the road network in this area is also strategic, particularly in the Tampa Bay region, where three major Florida highways—Interstate 275, State Road 60, and the Veterans Expressway—intersect. The project includes a complete reconstruction of interchanges with 43 new bridges and ramps. This development will facilitate easier access to Tampa and St. Pete in an area where over 200,000 vehicles travel daily.

Lane Construction plays a crucial role in this high-growth area, contributing to several major projects, including the expansion of the Seminole Expressway/SR 417. This project, commissioned by the Turnpike Enterprise, aims to create a strategic corridor to the Orlando area as well as an evacuation route in case of hurricanes.