Airport Improvement Features Award-Winning Kimley-Horn Parking and Transit Facility
Ben Henderson Discusses Completing MSP’s Silver Ramp During Pandemic
To address increased travel demand at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP), the Metropolitan Airport Commission (MAC) invested in the construction of the picturesque Silver Ramp, an 11-story parking ramp and transit facility. Airport Improvement Magazine interviewed Kimley-Horn’s Ben Henderson, PE, SE, to learn more about some of the project’s challenges, including designing the structure around various landside and airside restrictions.
Although the parking structure opened on schedule—a schedule intended to greet a flood of passengers rushing to catch flights—the Silver Ramp facility stood vacant as COVID-19 slowed domestic flights and practically ceased international travel. For the MAC, it was not an option to delay construction of the Silver Ramp until the return of travel was more predictable.
As restrictions are lifted, travel has already begun to steadily increase. The project team has a great sense of appreciation now for pressing on through uncertainty to complete the Silver Ramp and better meet the needs of travelers returning to the skies at MSP.
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