The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners, Federal, State, and local representatives gathered on Key West International Airport property November 2, 2022, in celebration of and to break ground for the airport’s new Concourse A project.

Congressman Carlos Gimenez, Rep. Jim Mooney and Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez joined Commissioners and County staff along with representatives from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Monroe County Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF). Gimenez presented Monroe County Mayor David Rice with a Certificate of Congressional Record regarding the project and groundbreaking.

The project was made possible through a combination of Florida Department of Transportation grant funds, bond proceeds, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Grant Funds, Covid-19 relief grants, passenger facility charges and other grants. Construction began this week and is estimated to be complete in early 2025.

“There are many people who have been involved with this project from day one,” said Mayor Rice, adding how the project is important for the future of the Key West International Airport. “And I just want to say it again – no local tax dollars are being used.”

Commissioners approved plans for the new 48,000-square-foot second-level concourse at their regular meeting on August 18, 2022. The new concourse project will include several elements to improve the level of service for passengers and tenants.

Upgrades include:

• Seven passenger boarding jet bridges

• Expansion of additional baggage areas and devices

• Airline ramp/office spaces

• An expanded security checkpoint with an area to support up to four lanes

• New extended passenger bridge located post-security connecting the existing terminal building with the new concourse

County Administrator Roman Gastesi, Congressman Gimenez, Gilberto Neves of NV2A, Robert Spottswood, Matt Dubbe of Mead & Hunt, and John Mafera of McFarland Johnson also spoke about the project.

More photos are available at the Key West International Airport Facebook page.

Photo: Shovel turn; From left: County Administrator Roman Gastesi; Robert Spottswood; Richard Toppino; Commissioner Craig Cates; Florida Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez; Rick Derrer; Commissioner Holly Raschein; Mayor David Rice; Commissioner Michelle Coldiron; Robert Spottswood Jr.; Commissioner Jim Scholl; Gilberto Neves; U.S. Rep. Jim Mooney; Congressman Carlos Gimenez; Airports Director Richard Strickland; and Chas Spottswood.

Photo Credit: Kristen Livengood, Monroe County PIO