41 AirportImprovement.com July | August 2026 BAGGAGE BWI Design work on the project resumed in January 2021, but with a significant change in budget and direction: The basement concept was scrapped, the system had to be located entirely at ground level and the overall project budget was cut by $100 million. New Budget, New Baggage Much of the cost BWI was able to trim came from the redesign (times three) of the baggage handling system. The first design was a “base design” to identify/clarify what would be built, and the second was a value- engineered version of it that the airport used for contract negotiations. Subsequent design changes moved much of the baggage handling system design construction into the new expansion area, which was unavailable during earlier design efforts. “So we then subjected [blended] our value-engineered design with their recommended solution, shuffled the cards together and ended up with the best value,” says Shank. He notes that early involvement from Siemens, the baggage handling system contractor, was a significant benefit during the Construction Manager at Risk project because its specialized knowledge brought additional efficiency and helped reduce the overall cost. While this was the first project BWI used the Construction Manager at Risk delivery method for, it will not be the last, Shank remarks. The effect on collaboration, partnering, schedule and budget left a very positive impression. “We continuously value engineer. We don’t just do it once and we’re done,” Shank emphasizes. “Because as you go along, there might be something that’s an improvement over your original concept.” Eliminating the basement and simplifying the building’s geometry for cost and schedule efficiency resulted in a streamlined, rectilinear connector between concourses A and B. With a shorter overall connector facility, the baggage handling system was resized (to about 1.5 miles long with 670 motors) FACTS&FIGURES Project: New Baggage Handling System Location: Baltimore/Washington Int’l Thurgood Marshall Airport Installation Site: New Concourse A/B Connector Cost: Part of $520 million budget that also includes concourse connector Funding: Airport revenue bonds ($330 million); MD Transportation Trust Fund; Airport Improvement Program grant System Size: More than 1.5 miles long with 670 motors, 7 EDS machines (plus room for 1 more), 6 new claim carousels Capacity: 3,255 bags/hour System Features: 2 domestic transfer drop-off positions; 1 int’l recheck drop-off position; 2 independent sortation lines with bypass encoding stations; additional outbound bag makeup operations; redundant power Ramp-Level Features: Consolidated operations, locker rooms & management facilities for Southwest; dedicated entry for badged staff; automated passenger exit technology; additional substation for power redundancy; storage, receiving & trash removal facilities for new concessions in connector; dedicated concessions service elevator; improved inbound tug operations; unrestricted vehicle service road Prime Designer/Engineer: Jacobs Baggage System Design Oversight & TSA Coordination: Studdiford Technical Solutions LLC Baggage Handling System Designer: VTC Architect of Record: The Sheward Partnership LLC Concept Architect: Abstract Group Inc. Civil: Airport Design Consultants Inc. Mechanical, Plumbing: JMT Geotechnical Engineer: Robert B. Balter Company Program Manager: AECOM Construction Manager at Risk: Clark Construction Construction Manager/Inspection for Site Prep: Parsons Construction Manager/Inspection for Baggage System: WSP Baggage System Contractor: Siemens (Vanderlande Logistics) Explosives Detection Machines: Leidos Gear Motors: NORD Electrical/Power Supplier: Curtis Power Solutions Security Installation: M.C. Dean Baggage Handling System Electrical: Hatzel Buehler Electrical Installation: Freestate Baltimore Lighting Components: GVA Lighting (via Alliance Lighting); Gammalux Lighting
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