$100M Security Checkpoint Set To Open This Summer At BWI

LINTHICUM, Md. (WJZ)—A $100 million project is underway at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and will help get passengers through security and to their gates much faster.

Rochelle Ritchie has more on how the airport is accommodating the increased number of passengers over the years.

BWI Marshall officials are closing one security checkpoint that doesn't see much activity and adding a new one with more lanes for more passengers.

The lines at BWI Marshall have gotten longer over the years.

"This is actually about as bad as I've seen it here. Usually the lines are a lot better," said Mike Fowler, passenger.

The wait times have also increased slightly according to passengers.

"Unfortunately, this is pretty bad and hopefully we can get through security in a reasonable amount of time," said Sonya Allen, passenger.

It's a case of supply not meeting demand.

"There's a high demand for more security checkpoints at BWI. The airport has seen a substantial amount of growth over the last few years," said Jonathan Dean, BWI Marshall spokesman. "2012 was a record year for passenger traffic. It was a third straight annual record for the airport, so we've seen really solid growth the last few years."

A $100 million project is in the works for a new checkpoint scheduled to open this summer.

"We're also working to expand and improve and expand Concourse C, which is the oldest part of the airport," Dean said.

Once finished, the new security area will be the biggest one the airport has ever opened-- with nine lanes.

"This will allow customers to pass through security and access basically 40 gates on A, B and C concourses," Dean said.

Scanning equipment from the recently closed checkpoint in baggage claim will be moved upstairs.

"We'll have new food and retail along the connector here," Dean said.

Passengers say they enjoy flying out of BWI and think more security lanes will make the experience even better.

"I think today it will be useful to have some more, but generally I haven't found it to be a problem," a passenger said.

The project is being funded by airport revenue.