San Diego Terminal Ranks Third on Construction Briefing Aviation Megaproject List

Construction Briefing ranked the San Diego Terminal 1 as the world’s third biggest airport megaproject under construction.  

If you’ve flown into San Diego, you know how exhilarating the experience can be as you glide over neighborhoods before touching down on the nation’s busiest single-runway airport. While memorable, the mid-century infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with the city’s growth. 

Terminal 1 opened in 1967 and served 2.5 million travelers that first year. In 2024, that number exceeded 26 million — projections estimate it could reach 39 million by 2035.  

As part of a joint venture with Turner Construction, Flatiron is delivering the San Diego Terminal 1 project, which includes: 

• Modern 30-gate terminal to replace the outdated facility 

• New 5,000-space Parking Plaza featuring an advanced parking guidance system 

• Efficient three-lane on-airport entry roadway to reduce traffic congestion 

Look at some mega stats from the mega project: 

• 55,000 tons of concrete recycled as infill aggregate 

• 45,000 linear feet of underground utilities installed 

• 31,000 tons of asphalt placed 

• 22,000 cubic yards of concrete poured for roadway bridges 

• 21,000 linear feet of curbs and gutters placed 

• 14,000 cubic yards of apron paving placed 

• 4,700 mechanically stabilized earth wall panels installed 

• 1,700 craft workers per day 

• 14 passenger bridges installed 

• 9 roadway bridges completed 

The new Terminal 1 will ensure that San Diego is ready for the future.