AUSTIN, Texas — More improvements are on the way for Austin's frequent flyers.
On Feb. 5, the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) announced it would be temporarily closing TSA Checkpoint 3. The closure is part of the West Infill Project, which will include 75,000 square feet of additional space in the terminal, along with six to eight new lanes for Checkpoint 3, an advanced baggage handling system and apron, concourse, mezzanine and roof levels.
Checkpoint 3, located on the west side of the terminal, will be shut down until the project's planned completion in 2026.
During that timeframe, Checkpoint 2 will offer two additional lanes and TSA screening will continue as usual at Checkpoints 1 and 2 West. Pre-check is available at Checkpoints 1 and 2 East, and CLEAR is available at Checkpoint 1.
Once Checkpoint 3 is expanded, it will offer additional enhancements including new Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, which use 3-D imagery to detect threatening items like sharp objects or weapons of any kind.
The outbound baggage handling system will also be improved so that 4,000 bags per hour can travel across a 1.5-mile-long conveyer belt.
AUS said some of the West Infill Project's work can already be seen on the arrivals level curbside on the west end of the curbside roadway. The sidewalk is partially blocked and the westside baggage claim exit is closed, as is the crosswalk in front of the exit. The smoking area has also been moved across the street.
AUS said terminal roadways will remain open and are not changed by the construction barricades.
In total, AUS said the West Infill and TSA Checkpoint 3 expansion project should cost approximately $241.5 million.
The project is part of the larger expansion and development program called "Journey with AUS," which includes plans for short-term projects like the new checkpoint and long-term projects like the new Concourse B.