New Central Tunnel Opens at Salt Lake City International Airport

Salt Lake City International Airport has officially opened a new central tunnel connecting the A and B concourses. This state-of-the-art tunnel enhances passenger convenience by streamlining access between the two concourses, significantly improving travel efficiency. The new addition reflects the airport's commitment to upgrading facilities and providing a better experience for travelers, making navigation through the airport smoother and more accessible.

Travelers at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) can now easily move between Concourse A and B thanks to the newly constructed central tunnel, part of the airport's Phase 3 renovation. This phase also introduces 12 new concessions and five Delta Air Lines gates, which will later be allocated to other airlines.

The New Tunnel
Passengers who regularly use Salt Lake City International Airport have long voiced concerns about the lengthy walk exceeding 2,000 feet required to reach the B gates. The newly built 1,200-foot Central Tunnel connects Concourse B to the main terminal, eliminating this inconvenience. Bill Wyatt, the Executive Director of the Salt Lake City Department of Airports, noted that the airport's design was always intended to include this feature. However, constructing it sooner would have disrupted operations at the old airport, which is why the previous route between Concourse A and B had been in use for the past 20 years. He asserts that this tunnel represents one of the most significant changes since Phase 1 was inaugurated four years ago.

Mike Williams, a Project Manager, discussed the improvements with the Idaho Capital Sun:
“This year marks the second major transformation as we have unified the entire experience. Passengers can navigate seamlessly from arrival to their gate without any need for additional walking.”

The new tunnel will provide a more scenic and shorter journey for passengers. It features a monochromatic blue art installation that mimics a river’s flow. This installation consists of a membrane sculpture made of individual fins supported by an aluminum frame wrapped in Tweave Duratech® 570C fabric. Illuminated by blue LED lighting, the tunnel boasts a distinctive ambiance. The River Tunnel's total cost is $80 million, with $5.5 million dedicated to the art piece, designed by Gordan Huether, a California artist who has previously created installations within the airport, including The Peaks and The Canyon. Additionally, the tunnel is equipped with a high-quality 150-speaker system that plays over 100 songs, ranging from classical to modern hip-hop.

Simple Flying has reached out to SLC Airport Authorities for a comment.

SLC Overhaul Project
The airport’s renovation project is currently in its third phase, totaling $4.1 billion. This redevelopment includes a 909,000 square-foot terminal and two new concourses. When finished, the South Concourse (A) will be 3,800 feet long, while the North Concourse (B) will measure 3,400 feet. These new facilities will replace three older structures and will include 78 domestic gates and six international gates, all featuring jet bridges. Once complete, the airport will be able to serve 34 million passengers each year.

Moreover, the airport will offer a 3,600-vehicle parking garage, doubling the original parking capacity. It will also feature a 7-mile-long baggage conveyor system and an underground train system to facilitate passenger transport.

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Source: simpleflying‍