Airport expansion – Broward County, Fla.
The newly constructed South Runway at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) was a much-needed addition, as well as a regional economic engine, according to Allan Siegel, community outreach coordinator for Broward County?s Aviation Department. Work on the project began in January 2012 and the runway opened in September 2014.
FLL is one of the fastest growing airports in the country; however, this growth created a capacity issue. Prior to the new runway?s construction, FLL had one 9,000-foot runway capable of handling larger commercial jets. Increases in large-aircraft traffic began causing delays, so plans to build the new 8,000-foot south runway to increase capacity were drawn up.
To attain the 8,000-foot length, the runway needed to be elevated over the Florida East Coast Railway and a federal highway. To accomplish the task, the runway was built with 12 tunnels beneath it. Trains and vehicles pass unrestricted below as planes land on the runway above.
The project cost approximately $791 million. It created 11,000 temporary jobs and generated an estimated $1.42 billion for the local economy.