"New Idaho Airport Terminal "Almost" Ready To Open"

Monday, June 16, 2003

New Airport Terminal "Almost" Ready To Open
By Jon Hanian
KBCI-TV 2 CBS Boise (ID) 


Boise, ID - It is an impressive building with an impressive price tag. "Our
budget for the project right now is $108,500,00."  Airport Director John
Anderson is about to open up this up to the public for the first time in
just 11 days. "I think people will be very proud."

While we were there beepers, paging systems and fire alarms were all going
off. They are testing out everything. Moving baggage is critical to the
success of any airport so right now that is getting special attention.
About 300 test bags were flown into the Boise Airport to give the system a
dry run through to make sure problem bags are snagged and real snags in the
system are avoided.

"We have taken a great deal of effort to increase the security level of the
building  as we have entered the post 9/11 era." These machines are designed
to quickly detect hidden explosives in baggage. They were purchased by the
federal government. There were none at the old air terminal. There are five
of them in the new one.  "They do a much much better job than the trace
detection does." 

The building itself is ready for anything including earthquakes. Anderson
stood over a long steel rod, one of several, that runs on a 45 degree angle
into the basement of the building. It is called a  viscous dampening device.
"In the event of an earthquake or shaking incident these things act just
like a shock absorber in your car." 

And getting to your car will no doubt be easier with new large baggage
carousel's covering a large section of the ground floor. 

The city is planning to open the new air terminal for an open house this
coming Saturday, June 21st. Wednesday June 25th will be the first day the
new air terminal will be open for public use.

Attached Photo:

Boise Airport Terminal

boise_air_terminal_061603.jpg