Award recognizes a design-build solution that improved passenger flow, expanded parking capacity, and maintained uninterrupted airport operations
TAMPA, FLORIDA — The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority’s modernization of passenger circulation at Tampa International Airport has been recognized with the HONOR – AVIATION award in the 2026 Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Florida Region Project Awards. Delivered by Manhattan Construction Company in partnership with C&S Companies, the Tampa International Airport Monorail Decommissioning and Moving Walkways Installation project transformed passenger movement between the airport’s long-term and short-term parking garages and the main terminal.
The project included demolition of an aging elevated monorail system and the installation of 12 moving walkways across approximately 150,000 square feet of parking structure space. It also created a direct, ADA-accessible pathway and enabled the reconfiguration of the garage to support nearly 500 additional parking spaces, improving both passenger convenience and operational efficiency.
“Our team adopted an ‘airport first, construction second’ approach,” said Mike Miller, vice president of operations, Manhattan Construction Company. “One of the most challenging pieces was replacing critical infrastructure without interrupting operations. Through adaptive phasing and real-time coordination, we were able to protect passenger flow, parking revenue, and safety while delivering a significant upgrade to the airport.”
“I’m especially proud of the team’s high-tech approach to proactively addressing risks related to the existing post-tensioned structure,” Miller said. “They used full-site scanning and engineered solutions before construction began, resulting in 2,200 anchor penetrations completed with zero cable strikes, protecting the structure and avoiding costly impacts.”
DBIA’s Florida Region awards program recognizes projects that deliver measurable improvements in cost, schedule, and operational performance through collaborative project delivery. The award was presented during the 2026 DBIA Florida Region Annual Conference Awards Luncheon on June 16, 2026, at the Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida.
More information is available at: https://manhattanconstructiongroup.com/manhattan-construction-company/Projects/tampa-international-airport-monorail-decommissioning-and-moving-walkway-installation/ .
About the DBIA Awards
The DBIA Florida Region Project Awards Competition celebrates excellence in design-build by recognizing outstanding projects and teams across Florida in ten categories spanning horizontal and vertical construction. Award-winning projects distinguish themselves through exceptional collaboration, disciplined leadership, and delivery practices. These projects exemplify the principles and best practices of Design- Build Done Right®.
About Manhattan Construction Company
Manhattan Construction Company provides preconstruction, construction management, program management, general building, and design-build services. Manhattan’s award-winning portfolio includes mission-critical, sports, healthcare, government, education, laboratory, aviation, transportation, convention, casino, and hospitality facilities. Manhattan is a 22-time Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC), an ABC Top Performing Contractor, a ten-time STEP Diamond Safety Award Winner, and a three-time National Safety Pinnacle Award winner. Manhattan Construction Company is a member of the Manhattan Construction Group family of companies. www.manhattanconstruction.com
