The Reno-Tahoe International Airport has been making lots of changes with its MoreRNO program, but the largest piece of the plan is on the horizon.
"Oh my," said Lori Leach, Reno resident, when we showed her the renderings. "Yeah, that's nice."
"Oh, wow," said Paula Hafer, Fernley resident who we also showed the renderings to. "That looks so clean and sleek, and I like it. I like the windows. I like the light. It's open. You can see out. Thumbs up. Awesome. Looks great."
On Tuesday, the airport hosted a groundbreaking ceremony, but construction work has already started.
"It will be a great new front door for our community," said Cris Jensen, Interim President & CEO, Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.
The new concourses are described like showrooms, but Jensen says there will be a lot more room.
Jensen says the construction will cost about $670 million, but it will not pull from local taxpayers.
Some of you may be wondering, 'How will the construction delay travel time?'
However, the airport expects no issues for travelers.
"In terms of construction, you'll likely see some outside of the windows," Jensen said. "We may feel some of the effects. You hear some of the effects, but really, it shouldn't impact your flight."
The existing concourses will be fully operational until both concourses A and B are finished.
The first concourse is expected to be done by 2028.
The second one is expected to finish construction in 2029.
Each concourse will be 130,000 square feet.
It will support existing flights and will look to add more.Â
Right now, the airport has 23 gates. The new construction will only add one additional gate, but it will add a lot more space for each.
The new designs are looking to be more energy efficient, using about 50 percent less energy and 40 percent less water than is currently used.
