In Texas, airports are gearing up for significant expansion, with ambitious plans to accommodate the growing demand for air travel and modernize their facilities. As the air travel industry recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, previously paused projects are moving forward, boosted by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which allocates $2.89 billion in fiscal year 2023 and $15 billion overall.

Let's explore four major airport projects that are set to take flight in the Lone Star State:

1. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport - $6.5 Billion Expansion: With Austin's rapid growth straining the airport's capacity, a comprehensive $6.5 billion plan is in place to address the challenge. Over the next two decades, 61 projects are scheduled, including the construction of a new concourse with 10 additional gates, connected to the main terminal via an underground tunnel. Construction is set to begin by 2030. Upgrades to the Barbara Jordan Terminal are underway, with a $165 million investment to add three new gates, relocate two gates, and improve concessions and facilities by spring 2026. Multiple builders, including Hensel Phelps and Whiting-Turner, are actively working on various expansion projects.

2. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport - $4.8 Billion Expansion: As part of a 10-year use and lease agreement with American Airlines, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is embarking on a $4.8 billion expansion. This includes the construction of a new Terminal F with 15 gates and renovations to the existing Terminal C. The entire expansion will add 24 new gates, enhancing the airport's capacity. The project, which was put on hold due to the pandemic, is now back on track, with Terminal F construction set to begin in the second half of 2024 and complete by the end of 2026. The airport is yet to name contractors for the various phases.

3. San Antonio International Airport - $2.5 Billion Redevelopment: To meet the demands of growth, San Antonio International Airport plans a $2.5 billion redevelopment project, spanning 20 years. The highlight is a new terminal larger than the combined size of the existing terminals, featuring up to 17 gates. Pre-construction is expected to start in 2024, targeting completion by March 2028. The airport's development plan also includes modernizing the outbound baggage handling system in Terminals A and B, scheduled for completion in November 2025. The funding for these improvements will come from FAA grants, IIJA, airport revenue, fees, and airport bonds.

4. William P. Hobby Airport (Houston) - $450 Million West Concourse Upgrade: Southwest Airlines has ambitious plans for Houston's Hobby Airport, intending to expand the West Concourse with seven new gates, upgraded baggage claim carousels, improved baggage handling systems, and restrooms. The project carries a price tag of $450 million, funded through Houston Airports' construction and improvement funds. Construction is scheduled to commence early next year, with an estimated completion date in 2026. The project awaits approval from the Houston City Council in the upcoming weeks, with contractors yet to be selected.

As Texas experiences a surge in air travel demand, these significant airport expansion projects aim to enhance traveler experience and cater to the needs of a growing population. The combination of federal support from the IIJA and the determination of the airports' governing bodies promises a transformative future for air travel in the Lone Star State.

Despite mounting financing issues, many contractors are witnessing a steady pace of new construction in their respective markets. In some cases, developers are turning to modular construction as a solution to bypass cumbersome banking requirements.

Kelley Barcuch, a project consultant based in Arlington, Texas, for Technology Construction Performance, a project management firm, reports that construction activity in Texas continues to surge. Similarly, Brian Jaubert, a construction superintendent at Gulfstream Plumbing, also operating in the Lone Star State, emphasizes that traditional construction remains robust in Texas.

Even further afield, Matt Poppoff, president of Poppoff, a concrete contractor headquartered in Moxee, Washington, shares that his firm's backlog is at an all-time high. On the opposite coast, Marty Copsey, president, and COO of MacKenzie Contracting, a general contractor based in Lutherville, Maryland, states that his company recently posted its largest backlog in history.

This optimistic outlook is reflected in the Associated Builders and Contractor (ABC) analysis, showing a norm of confidence among contractors throughout the year. Despite a slight decline in ABC's Construction Confidence Index reading for sales and staffing levels in May, both indicators remained well above a score of 50, suggesting expectations for continued growth over the next six months. Additionally, backlog levels in June remained unchanged from the previous year, standing at 8.9 months, indicating a strong pipeline of projects.

However, contractors should be prepared for continued tightening and tension from small and regional banks. Lenders are taking a more conservative approach with individual developers compared to corporate builders, according to John Wolfington, principal of Exceler Building Solutions, a construction company based in Hazelton, Pennsylvania. This cautious stance comes as pressure on U.S. banks increased following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank in March, causing uncertainty in financial markets and raising concerns about a potential slowdown in privately financed projects, as highlighted by Anirban Basu, ABC's chief economist.

One such example is Shopoff Realty Investments, which temporarily halted construction on its approximately $550 million Las Vegas Dream Resort in March due to construction financing concerns.

Following the resolution to grant planning permission from Norwich City Council in April, Weston Homes has actively engaged with stakeholders to move the project forward. The final form of the Section 106 agreement with the council has been agreed upon, and the company is optimistic about obtaining full planning consent soon.

The proposed scheme, though contentious, aims to replace a 1960s shopping center with a modern development comprising 1,100 new homes. These residential buildings will range from three to eight stories and will be thoughtfully designed around inner courtyards, a public square, and a pedestrian precinct.

Previously, plans featuring a 20-storey tower were rejected by the former secretary of state, Robert Jenrick, despite a planning inspector supporting the scheme in a public inquiry. Subsequently, Weston Homes revised their plans for the 4.65-hectare (11.5-acre) project site.

Weston Homes is expecting an update on the project's status from Homes England by the end of this month. This will facilitate further collaboration with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC). The completion of these regulatory processes is anticipated by the end of October 2023, paving the way for Weston Homes to commence the redevelopment of Anglia Square in early 2024.

Once the planning approval is formalized, Weston Homes will assume ownership of the Anglia Square site from the current landowner, Columbia Threadneedle.

The initial phase of development will involve the demolition of the multi-story car park, which has remained unused since 2012. Subsequently, the cinema block is scheduled for demolition towards the end of 2024, followed by Sovereign House in 2026.

Throughout the construction period, the development is expected to create approximately 2,211 direct construction jobs, as stated by Weston Homes.