County will consider $100 million upgrade at JWA terminals

In an attempt to boost safety and efficiency at John Wayne Airport, county leaders are expected to consider a $102.3-million contract Tuesday that would authorize numerous improvements in two terminals.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors are expected to vote on the staff recommended agreement with Swinerton Builders, who worked on John Wayne Airport’s $48.5-million parking structure, which was completed in 2010.

The improvements to Terminals A and B are part of a years-long construction plan for the airport, which sits on unincorporated land adjacent to Irvine, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa.

In 2003, John Wayne Airport staff began planning a variety of construction projects including a new terminal, parking structure, a central utility plant, more dining options and improvements to Terminals A and B.

The proposed work includes structural and non-structural seismic retrofits, as well as upgrades to lighting and electrical systems, heating, air conditioning and airport bathrooms. The fire sprinkler and alarm system will also be updated as part of the project. More noticeably, aesthetic improvements like fresh carpet, marble floors and increased signage are also included in Swinerton Builders’ contract.

The effort is also expected to make the terminals more accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the contract states.

In August, the airport served 936,949 passengers, an increase of more than 12% from the same month in 2014.

County staff said they do not expect passengers will have any significant delay because only one of the airport’s 20 gates will be closed at a time during construction, according to the staff report.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Hall of Administration, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana.