Jacobs-Designed Improvements at San Diego International Airport Elevating Sustainable Travel

The transformation at San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 1 is starting to take flight, with the first phase of the new terminal set to open in 2025!

The new Terminal 1 Parking Plaza just opened, adding 2,800 new parking spots; more than 4-miles of baggage system handling conveyor belts have been installed; and over half of the planned passenger boarding bridges are completed. Additionally, the Airside Improvements Project, which is part of the New Terminal 1 (New T1) program, recently won the prestigious Envision Gold Award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. 

A pivotal part of the T1 program, Jacobs served as the designer for the airside improvements at San Diego International Airport. Our team worked closely with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority (SDCRAA) and other stakeholders to deliver design and construction processes that not only met, but exceeded environmental stewardship goals, using the Envision framework to check design against 64 resiliency and sustainability indicators.

The Airside Improvements Project exemplifies our dedication to integrating sustainable practices into large-scale infrastructure projects. The project includes the construction of a new taxiway and aircraft parking area designed to reduce aircraft taxiing time and ultimately, minimizing emissions. The design also includes advanced lighting and signage systems and other sustainable solutions, including one of the largest water capture, treatment and reuse systems to be installed at an airport in the U.S. This upgrade to an existing capture and treatment system is expected to reduce stormwater runoff into the San Diego Bay by at least 80% and primarily supplement water supply to the airport cooling towers, reducing potable water consumption. We also worked to address climate change vulnerability, reduce construction waste and mitigate environmental disruptions during construction throughout the airside improvements.

“For Jacobs, what we do is about more than just a single project or outcome. It’s about delivering infrastructure solutions that promote sustainability, resilience and community wellbeing into the future,” says Jacobs Project Manager John Thompson. “The landmark transformations at San Diego International Airport are providing lasting societal value and the Envision Gold Award on the Airside Improvements Project is a testament to our collaborative efforts with SDCRAA to improve the region's transportation and transit infrastructure and deliver a more connected, sustainable future.”

The New T1 program, with a total project budget of $3.8 billion, is set to replace the current Terminal 1, enhance airfield operations, improve transportation connectivity and construct a new administration building, while creating up to 20,000 construction-related jobs. We’ve provided design and construction support services on the airside improvements since 2020.

Whether by air, sea or land, we create equitable, sustainable solutions for smart, integrated transportation infrastructure that connects people and communities around the world and stimulates economic development. From aviation, rail & transit, highways & bridges, to ports & maritime, we keep future generations moving forward.