Tampa International Airport is scheduled to renovate the baggage claim system on the main terminal's ground floor by Christmas 2009, a project that will expand baggage pickup space 50 percent.
The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority on Thursday approved a resolution for Mathews Construction of Tampa Inc. to complete the design and procure some construction items for the $22.3 million project.
The renovation, which will begin in February, will decrease the number of carousel and belt devices from 17 to 14, with seven each on the blue and red arrivals baggage claim areas.
The new system will expand the luggage pickup space from about 99 feet to 153 feet. It will also free up space to ease conflicts between those waiting for bags and those walking through the area or trying to reach an elevator.
The work will improve baggage pickup during busy periods, in particular the 11 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. peak arrivals for Southwest Airlines, the airport's busiest carrier, when nine flights arrive within 15 minutes.
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