City Council approved the Department of Aviation’s five-year capital improvement plan this week which includes $139 million worth of projects planned for the El Paso International Airport. The projects listed in the plan should begin between fiscal years 2014 and 2018.
The largest single project will be the $45 million expansion of the rental car lot into a parking structure. The three level garage will be used by rental car companies for pick up and return of automobiles used by travelers. The Consolidated Rental Car Facility will be located immediately to the west of El Paso International Airport's main terminal, steps away from the baggage claim area. |
| Concept design of the rental parking structure in the Southern Industrial Park Master Plan. |
Included in the structure will be Ready and Return areas, customer kiosks, fueling and car wash areas, a light maintenance facility, and vehicle storage for use by the rental companies. It will include 650-700 parking stalls and be designed using Smart Growth and Congress for New Urbanism principles, including a focus on pedestrian accessibility.
Runway and taxiway work will use approximately $55 million over the next five years. Smaller projects include improvements to Airway Boulevard ($1 million), replacement of baggage claim units ($2.8 million), airfield perimeter roads ($3.35 million), and an upgrade to the central plant ($5.6 million).
Federal Aviation Administration grants will provide $55.97 million in funding with another $20.2 million coming from the Airport Enterprise Fund. Another $45 million will come from Customer Facility Charge fees and $18.3 million from Passenger Facility Charge fees.
City Council voted to approve the capital improvement plan at its August 20, 2013 meeting.