On January 18, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava addressed the county's unprecedented investment of $7 billion in capital improvements and $1.7 billion in maintenance improvements at Miami International Airport ( MINE). Levine Cava also provided an update on MIA's Concourse D Skytrain people-mover system, which is scheduled for a near-full return to service in March after it was closed for safety repairs last September.
"In addition to having another record year in passenger and cargo growth, MIA has also received a historic investment of maintenance and capital improvement funds that will transform our airport for years to come," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. "My administration is focused on preparing MIA for the future and providing our passengers with the world-class airport experience they deserve."
Under the leadership of Mayor Levine Cava, last year the Miami-Dade County Aviation Department launched a Modernization in Action Plan (MIA) that identifies priority areas receiving critical investments and informs the public. Below is a detailed update on key projects and other important maintenance improvements.
Transportation: The MIA Plan to upgrade elevators, escalators and moving walks got a boost in December when the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) approved more than $99 million in contracts that will modernize 64 of the aging units. Combined with a $582 million contract that the BCC approved last July, the Plan is now fully funded to replace or renew transportation units at MIA that need improvement. Of the 616 units at the airport, there are currently 53 out of service for repair or modernization, which represents only 9% of the total units. According to the Plan, at least 30 transport units are planned to be upgraded or replaced annually over the next five to seven years.
Passenger Loading Bridges: The first step a passenger takes from an airplane to the airport is a passenger loading bridge. MIA is improving that first impression by replacing or retrofitting all of its 126 passenger loading bridges. Installation of the first 32 has already been completed, with 10 bridges scheduled to be completed each year through 2028. All future loading bridges will be glass, providing cooler temperatures than metal and improved visual aesthetics.
Restrooms: Thanks to a $101 million investment and a new design contract approved by the BCC in December, MIA's 207 public restrooms are being renovated. A total of 33 bathrooms have already been modernized in halls D, H and J, and 32 more in the other halls of the MIA are scheduled to be renovated in 2024. The remaining 141 bathrooms before and after security on the three levels are scheduled to be renewed. completion during the third and final phase of the airport's toilet renovation program between 2025 and 2030.
Electrical Infrastructure: To increase sustainability, a contract with Florida Power & Light Services approved in December will provide MIA with $547 million in electrical infrastructure improvements, such as zero-emission equipment and net-zero backup power generators. The airport is also moving forward with a $130 million project that will renovate the entire terminal roof and add solar energy-generating panels.
Skytrain: The Skytrain, built 25 years ago, was taken out of service on September 15, 2023, after a semi-annual regulatory inspection determined that cracks in three of the system's 100 concrete pillars near its Station 1 had exceeded minor to substantial. since the last inspection in 2021. Out of an abundance of caution for public safety, the entire system was taken out of service for further inspection. By the end of March, repairs in the area near Station 2 beginning this month will allow the system to return to safe operation between Stations 2, 3 and 4 (gates D25 to D46), leaving only Station 1 ( near D16). Out of service. Completion dates for repairs to the damaged area near Station 1 and minor cracks in other areas have yet to be determined. The estimated cost of all repairs is $4.2 million. Until the Skytrain is back in service, complimentary trolley service and a boardingside shuttle bus are available. Passengers requiring wheelchair assistance must first contact American Airlines in advance before their flight.