Today Mayor Edwin M. Lee introduced a $502 million budget supplemental appropriation to fund infrastructure improvements to the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) over the next five years that will create an estimated 3,277 jobs.

In 2011-2012, air traffic exceeded the previous peak year of 1999-2000. Roughly 21.1 million passengers boarded flights at SFO. Air traffic growth provides revenue for SFO and air traffic is projected to increase 1.8 percent annually over the next five-years.

“Investing in the infrastructure and long-term growth of our airport will help secure San Francisco as an international destination for generations to come,” said Mayor Lee. “We can build and improve our City while creating jobs for our residents and supporting our continued economic recovery.”

Funded projects in the Airport Five-Year Capital Plan include:
• $116 million for the Terminal 3 boarding area improvements with 20,000 square foot building expansion and additional concession space modeled on the successful T2 renovation;
• $45.7 million for the Terminal 3 checkpoint renovation project to improve security and operations and improve passenger circulation and increase security line capacity by adding up to 12 checkpoint lanes;
• $132.9 million (with $79.9 million in FAA funding) for the new air traffic control tower;
• $70.9 million for modern checked baggage inspection system;
• $215 million for the airfield runway safety area projects;
• $42.5 million to improve surface parking lots and build a new parking garage;
• $3.5 million to upgrade and improve signage; and
• $54.5 million for infrastructure improvements to the water treatment plant, power and lighting, and the central plant.

Yesterday, Mayor Lee joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and Acting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta to break ground on SFO’s new air traffic control tower. The project will generate an estimated 400 construction and 200 support jobs. The tower’s design is based on strictly prescribed FAA functional requirements for air traffic and seismic safety. The project goal is to achieve LEED Gold with solar panels, eco-friendly mechanical and technical systems, and sustainable building materials. Construction will be complete in the fall of 2014 with the tower fully operational by the fall of 2015.