Airport Construction Moves Along Smoothly

SIOUX FALLS, SD - The Sioux Falls airport is in its second phase of construction to expand and upgrade its facility. The project has forced travelers to take a detour even before they take off.

"The little maze, we have to get from this side to the newly remodeled side," executive director Dan Letellier said.

It's all part of the construction project to expand and update the airport.  Letellier says they are now well into the second phase of construction on the terminal project, which will change the baggage handling system and extend ticket counters to add more room for future airline expansion.

"It certainly will streamline the check-in process. If your checking in luggage or just getting a boarding pass, make that process simpler," Letellier said.

Work on the concourse is underway.  While it doesn't look like much yet, this area will house a restaurant and allow more room for travelers to stretch out.

"Much larger, about four times larger than what we have.  New restrooms, quite a bit more gate seating, large gift shop and business center," Letellier said.

Despite the construction, Letellier says they'll be ready for the thousands of hunters who come through the doors next week.

"We’ll have a lot of hunters coming through here.  That will be a little more congestion, but so far it's working pretty well," Letellier said.

While the project and wooden walkway won't be out of the way by the time hunters fly in, Letellier says it will be completed on time, if not earlier.

"They modified a couple of the phases and gift shop as well, so they're actually going to save a few months," Letellier said.

Letellier says he hopes to have work on the terminal project finished by mid December. The entire project is scheduled to be done in 2012.