Grand Opening of Red Express Curbsides at Tampa International Airport

Friday September 12, 2025
Grand Opening of Red Express Curbsides at Tampa International Airport

August 12, 2025, marks a proud moment for our team as Tampa International Airport unveils its newly completed Red Express Curbsides – a bold step forward in the airport’s ongoing transformation. As the general contractor behind this landmark project, we’re thrilled to celebrate the successful delivery of a space designed to elevate passenger experience and support the region’s growing travel demands.

Building on the success of the Blue Express Curbsides launched in 2021, the Red Express Curbsides offer a seamless option for travelers flying without checked baggage. These dedicated lanes allow passengers to bypass traditional ticketing and baggage claim areas, streamlining their journey and easing terminal congestion.

The expansion adds more than 65,000 SF to the Main Terminal, featuring a redesigned transfer level and a future shuttle lobby that will connect to the upcoming Airside D, awarded to Hensel Phelps in 2023. With eight new traffic lanes, the express system now boasts sixteen lanes in total, doubling its capacity and enhancing flow for thousands of daily users.

But this project has been about more than just concrete and steel. Since breaking ground, our team has prioritized community engagement, safety and collaboration. From removing the decades-old Administration Building to hosting outreach events and participating in volunteer efforts, we’ve built lasting connections alongside the physical infrastructure.

This milestone also marks the completion of Phase 2 of Tampa International Airport’s Master Plan, a vision set in motion in 2012. With Phase 3, the construction of the 16-gate Airside D, which is already underway, the Red Express Curbsides stand as a symbol of progress, partnership and the power of purposeful design and execution. We’re honored to have played a central role in bringing this vision to life. Here’s to the journey, the people who made it possible and the travelers who will benefit from it every day.

Ribbon cutting ceremony in action
group photo at the ribbon cutting ceremony
Escalators from the Red Express Curbsides at Tampa International Airport
Drop off drive path from the Red Express Curbsides at Tampa International Airport

Read the full project story and learn more about the project: Tampa International Airport Main Terminal Curbside Expansion Program.

To learn how Hensel Phelps delivers complex construction solutions across markets, visit our Projects Page.