San Diego International Airport Terminal 2 Parking Plaza

Photo Credit: Swinerton

The Terminal 2 Parking Plaza at the San Diego International Airport is a three-level cast-in-place concrete structure that serves as a “new front door” to the airport. The project features 2,700 parking spaces across three levels, encompassing 920,000 square feet on a 9-acre site. Major artwork is also integrated into the Parking Plaza, which serves a dual purpose as wayfinding guides, safety features and architectural flourishes. This project achieved a ParkSmart Gold Certification from the Green Parking Council, which included an innovative rainwater harvesting system that feeds into the nearby Central Utility Plant.

Design-Build Innovation

By leveraging design-build best practices through collaboration, teamwork, and leadership, the team met the Owner’s goal to “Elevate the Passenger Experience” by providing seamless transition from travelers’ vehicles to the terminal. One of the ways this was done was by working together to incorporate extensive state-of-the-art technology. The Parking Guidance System directs vehicles straight to empty parking spaces, while the License Plate Recognition system expedites the entry and exit of vehicles who have registered their vehicle and paid in advance. 100% of the conduit was installed underground and this early challenge was solved by a highly collaborative team bringing trade partners in early to provide their expertise to help eliminate challenges during construction.

Design-Build Team