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Originally Posted by the Genral
The concourses extending south and attached to the 'main' terminal was kind of surprising. I don't remember seeing that on the earlier conception drawings. I thought there was a seperate terminal planned for the next big expansion phase....
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Actually, construction the two 12-gate concourses was apart of the architects's original plan. However, without expanding the ticketing area, we are going to be in a world of hurt should the current space be used to facilitate more than twice the number of gates currently at ABIA (from 25 to 56).
Due to budget cuts (during original construction), the terminal's north side (ticketing area) was shaved by some 50', the height of most ceilings in the terminal were cut by 10' to 20' and the airside waiting areas were narrowed by over 20'.
You are correct, the master plan suggested that the next major phase of expansion be the "south terminal." Initially, that terminal would have 11 gates and expand to 21 when necessary (space is available for further east/west expansion of its concourses). Additionally, two mid-field concourses would also be possible (placed between the current Barbara Jordan Terminal and new future "south terminal").
In all, I believe the plan outlined the ability of ABIA to be expanded to 125+ gates.
More high-speed turn-offs are in the works and a future runway is planned. It shall be constricted between the 12,500' west runway and the current terminal. I believe the length was somewhere between 9,000 and 12,000'. I cannot remember exactly.