Construction has begun
on the departure lounge area of the passenger terminal
at Hector International Airport.
The
project will enlarge the area on the public side of the
security checkpoint and add restrooms to the departure
lounge area. Since September 11 only persons with
airline tickets are allowed through the security
checkpoint into the departure lounge. All meeters and
greeters must wait for their parties either at the
security checkpoint or in the baggage claim area. This
has created congestion in the area of the checkpoint.
The
remodeling project will also add restrooms to the
departure lounge area. Currently the only restrooms were
on the non-secure side of the security checkpoint.
Passengers that already cleared screening would have to
exit the departure lounge to use the facilities and then
be rescreened to enter the departure lounge again.
The project was bid
and awarded to CM of North Dakota, Sherman Plumbing and
Bergstrom Electric for the amount of $144,425. It is
estimated that the project will be completed by the end
of September. The project is being completed as to
minimize the impact to passengers.