2 Temporary Passenger Gates Being Built at JWA

Construction is underway on two temporary gates at John Wayne Airport that will serve passengers until the main terminal can add six permanent gates to accommodate projected growth.

The $1.1-million temporary facilities will be housed in two modular structures at the terminal’s north and south ends. Each can handle 250 passengers at a time.

Workers are preparing the north side for the first modular building, which will be formed by joining six 12-foot-by-50-foot prefabricated trailers. The units will arrive in January.

“Along with safety, convenience for our visitors is paramount,” said Justin McCusker, an airport spokesman. “These temporary gates are essential for providing adequate space for travelers as our passenger volume continues to increase.”

The temporary north gate is to be completed by April. The south gate will be finished a few months after that. Travelers will be able to reach both from the main terminal after clearing security checks.

McCusker said the two gates will serve commuter airlines, such as American Eagle, Mesa and Delta Connections.

Major carriers also might be allowed to use the facilities, he said.

Passengers will use the temporary gates until the airport can increase the number of permanent gates in the main terminal from 14 to 20 within the next four years. Expansion plans are in the preliminary stages, but airport officials want to make sure they are consistent with the terminal’s architecture.

“This is an important step forward in allowing the airport to make way for new capacity afforded to us through the modification of earlier ... agreements,” McCusker said.

John Wayne Airport handles about 8 million passengers a year. The airport is authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration to accommodate 10.3 million passengers a year until 2011, when the cap increases to 10.8 million travelers.

The limits were established last January, two years before a 1985 court settlement that set noise limits and growth restrictions was scheduled to expire. The updated agreement, which expires in 2015, canceled the original cap of 8.4 million passengers, but maintained the noise limits.