Watch CBS News

Ft. Lauderdale Airport To Put Up Overhangs For Shade

FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- Passengers At Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport will have one less thing to worry about, outside elements.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, in March the airport plans to add aluminum overhangs to the four-terminal complex, replacing canvas canopies which Hurricane Wilma had shredded 8 years ago.

The overhangs are meant to protect passengers from the broiling sun and rain. They will also be capable of withstanding 140 miles per hour winds,according to the paper.

The 6.3 million dollar project will not be completed until October. During this time, the airport's upper level will become a construction zone forcing travelers to walk to terminals through the ground level.

Jim Davis,a project manager for the Broward County Aviation Department told the paper, the most of the work will be done at night to minimize the inconvenience.

The canopies will also cover thousands of cruise ship passengers arriving on buses each weekend.

Airport spokesman Greg Meyer told the Sun-Sentinel, similar canopies will be built over the ticket dispensers in the airport economy parking lot located West of Interstate 95.

The original canopy, which was shredded in Hurricane Wilma, was made with canvas-like fabric which the airport tried unsuccessfully to replace.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.