{"id":7053,"date":"2017-05-15T17:09:19","date_gmt":"2017-05-15T21:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.atl.com\/?p=7053"},"modified":"2017-09-07T14:55:55","modified_gmt":"2017-09-07T18:55:55","slug":"construction-of-grand-entrance-underway-at-worlds-busiest-airport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.atl.com\/atl\/construction-of-grand-entrance-underway-at-worlds-busiest-airport\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction of grand entrance underway at world\u2019s busiest airport"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ATLNext rendering depicts the canopies that will cover both sides of the Airport’s Domestic Terminal.<\/p><\/div>\n

By Anika Robertson
\nSenior Editor\/Assistant Public Relations Manager<\/em><\/b><\/p>\n

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The sight of passengers darting across ATL\u2019s roadways to enter and exit the Domestic Terminal will soon be a thing of the past.<\/p>\n

One of the major projects underway is construction of two giant canopies that will extend from the North and South sides of the Domestic Terminal. The work is part of ATLNext, the Airport\u2019s $6 billion capital improvement program.<\/p>\n

While their appearance will be grand, the canopies also will improve the guest experience. They will protect passengers from weather conditions, and they will improve traffic flow by housing elevated walkways between the parking decks and terminal.<\/p>\n

Work to prepare the foundation for the canopies\u2019 steel trusses began in March 2017. There are 19 supertrusses per canopy, one for each side (North and South). The 38 total supertrusses are each connected to a pier column. Each pier is 21 feet high. Canopies require 3,500 tons of steel, equaling the weight of nine Boeing 777 jets.<\/p>\n

The steel is produced in Chicago, rolled and fabricated in Houston and Lubbock, Texas, and assembled in Atlanta.<\/p>\n

The canopy material will consist of ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) membrane, a fluorine-based plastic that will cover 19,776 square yards, or the equivalent of three football fields. The durable, recyclable material is known for its design flexibility to withstand extreme weather conditions. It\u2019s expected to have a 30-50 year life expectancy with minimal maintenance.<\/p>\n

The ETFE membrane coverage is almost 10,000 square yards per canopy, and as a bonus, it will illuminate ATL\u2019s facade with more than 3,500 customizable LED strip fixtures for color themes to commemorate holidays and special events.<\/p>\n

Over the past several years, other ETFE structures have opened abroad, including WaterCube in Beijing, China; Eden Project in Cornwall, UK; and Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. The U.S. recently began incorporating it into structural designs, including Minnesota\u2019s U.S. Bank Stadium, which opened July 2016, and our own Atlanta Falcons\u2019 new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opens in late August.<\/p>\n

The projected date of completion is late 2018. How will construction affect your routine? Below are ATLNext project impacts. For more information, visit www.next.atl.com.<\/p>\n

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Impacts through mid-June 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

North Terminal<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n