AUS expansion update: Westgate reaches permanent power; Concourse B remains early in design

Lynn Estabrook, deputy chief of development, led the commission through a new 3D map of AUS’s expansion program and highlighted near‑term milestones including the Westgate expansion and atrium infill. “This project does now have permanent power,” Estabrook said, noting that permanent power allows contractors to start finishes such as flooring, drywall and HVAC installations.

Estabrook walked commissioners through imagery that included both renderings and construction photos showing steel beam installation and phased closures in baggage claim; she said many work activities are occurring at night to keep passenger flows moving. On Concourse B, Estabrook said the project is in early concept and design phases and that staff are not prepared to give a specific passenger‑service date. She described the present program as a portion of a possible full build—“when B is completely full, it could be, it, it could be as, as much as 40 gates or more, but that is not what the current program is.”

Commissioners praised the new visual packet and requested that the public‑facing slides remain user friendly. Estabrook said most expansion projects are in design or build, with only a single project in Envision/procurement status. Staff will return with more detailed timelines at later meetings as projects reach 30% and 60% design milestones.

The commission received the presentation and asked staff to continue to provide regular construction updates and to ensure public communication about transient closures and passenger impacts.