Due to growing demand throughout the Charleston, SC region the Charleston County Aviation Authority (CCAA) envisioned the addition of three new Common Use boarding gates at the existing Concourse A to increase the number of flights and passengers served.

LS3P was an integral team member in making the CCAA vision a reality. By providing design and permitting expertise, collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, and producing clear and easy to understand Construction Documents LS3P helped put three new boarding gates into service in record time. The first gate opened seven months the first CCAA/LS3P conversation on January 7, 2022. All three gates were operational on October 18, 2022, less than 11 months after the first meeting.

The LS3P scope also included an airport-wide passenger seating plan to support the new boarding capacity. Over 300 new seats will be added to Concourse A & B without compromising aesthetics, circulation, or passenger comfort. The seating is being added in phases and is still ongoing.

LS3P collaborated with CCAA and the General Contractor seamlessly throughout the design and construction phases so that long-lead items could be procured and delivered despite an era of “supply chain disruptions”.
Construction phase submittals and RFI’s were expedited by face-to-face review between LS3P, the General Contractor, and subcontractors. Extensive LS3P field presence reduced the number of field questions and eliminated the re-do of non-conforming work.

The permitting process was expedited in large part due to the trust between CCAA, LS3P, and the City of North Charleston. The land disturbance permitting process which typically takes five months was avoided by installing Boarding Bridge foundations on top of the apron. Certificates of Occupancy were awarded without compromise or conflict.