A trusted partner in refreshing and refurbishing busy hub airport

Client

Salt Lake City International Airport

Location

Salt Lake City, UT

Challenge

Salt Lake City International Airport, a key transportation hub in a growing market, needed expansion and renovation to meet future demand without disrupting daily operations. Since 2011, Terracon’s Salt Lake City office has partnered with the Airport Redevelopment Program, providing construction materials testing (CMT), special inspections, and environmental consulting services throughout the phased construction of a new terminal, gateway entry facility, two 50-gate concourses, car rental quick turnaround facility, central utility plant, parking structure, elevated roadways, light-rail station, airfield taxiways, and aprons. 

Over the course of this multi-phase redevelopment, our professionals supported construction activities across terminal facilities, concourses, utility infrastructure, parking structures, roadway improvements, and airfield components. As construction progressed, Terracon delivered a broad range of IBC Chapter 17 Special Inspections and materials testing services, helping project teams verify compliance with design requirements and quality standards. 

Challenges present themselves in different ways on long-term projects like this. One of the most significant occurred early in the project when the first loads of structural steel arrived on-site with fabrication deviations that could affect strength and durability. Correcting the issue quickly while minimizing impacts to the construction schedule became a top priority. 

Solution

Terracon responded proactively, working with the airport to place inspectors in nine fabrication shops across the United States and Canada within days to prevent similar issues from recurring. During Phase 2, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, the structural steel contractor shifted fabrication to a facility in Thailand. Terracon’s lead inspector traveled to Thailand, completed the required quarantine period, and provided oversight and coordination with on-site subconsultant staff during fabrication activities. 

To support the pace and complexity of the redevelopment, Terracon established an on-site project office and concrete laboratory. Embedding personnel directly on the project enabled rapid response, timely reporting, and close coordination with contractors, designers, and project stakeholders. This approach streamlined communication and provided project teams with the information needed to make informed decisions throughout construction. 

Throughout the program, Terracon produced more than 50,000 inspection and material testing reports covering concrete, reinforcing steel, structural steel, soil compaction, earthwork observation, pile foundation installation, and other critical construction elements. Advanced technologies, including CMELMS, Device Magic, and TARGETID, improved data collection, reporting, and accessibility. TARGETID, for example, allowed project teams to view testing results on an interactive GIS-based map, helping users locate and review information in seconds rather than searching through spreadsheets. 

As project phases, schedules, and construction demands evolved, Terracon maintained consistent technical support while adapting services to meet changing project needs. Safety remained a foundational element of our work through pre-task planning, hazard awareness, and a commitment to continuous improvement, helping protect team members, project partners, and the public throughout construction. 

Results

Phase 1 of the project, including the central utility plant, parking garage, and two concourses, opened on schedule in 2020. Phase 2 followed on time in October 2023, delivering additional concourses and taxiways. Phase 3 continued with upgraded concourses and work on a new central tunnel between the two concourses. 

Project update: Since this case study was first published in 2024, the central tunnel between the two concourses has been completed and opened. Half of B East is now open, with flights departing from the new gates. Taxiway G and the Midvale Tunnel, which supports airport maintenance operations, are also complete. 

Terracon’s long-term involvement helped support quality, compliance, and project coordination throughout one of the largest infrastructure programs in Utah’s history. Through construction materials testing, special inspections, environmental consulting, and a strong commitment to safety and collaboration, our team contributed to a redevelopment that will serve travelers and the community for generations to come. 

As the gateway to Utah, Salt Lake City International Airport often provides visitors with their first impression of the region. We are proud to have played a role in helping deliver an airport that supports continued growth while showcasing the future of Salt Lake City.