MIA: Modernization In Action

What’s the first place most of us go to after a long flight? You guessed it – the bathroom. MIA’s restroom modernization project includes the renovation of 203 public access restrooms located on all three levels of MIA’s terminal and concourses. As of April 2023, a total of 17 bathrooms have been modernized.

Renovations include interior demolition, new partition walls, new toilet partitions, new restroom finishes including flooring, walls, ceiling, new vanity countertops, new plumbing fixtures, new accessories, and new lighting fixtures.

Phase 1, which includes eight public restrooms on the concourse level in Concourse H, is scheduled for completion by the end of 2023.

Phase 2, which includes 26 restrooms in Concourse D, 14 restrooms in Concourses E, F, and G, and 16 public restrooms in Concourses H and J, is scheduled for completion by Fall 2024.

Phase 3, which includes the remaining bathrooms across the MIA terminal, is scheduled for completion in stages over the next five years.

Project Benefits:

• Modernized facilities for passengers and employees
• Touchless fixtures
• Improved accessibility
• Sustainable design
• Energy-efficient products
• EPA water-sense-certified or meets LEED requirements

A modernization plan is underway to fully rebuild and/or replace most of the 616 conveyances at MIA (312 elevators, 206 escalators, and 98 moving walkways), which represents half of all the conveyance units at Miami-Dade County government facilities. To keep MIA accessible for those using wheelchairs, elevators have been prioritized for modernization and eight elevator units have already been completed. So far, 32 units have been upgraded, and another 38 units are under contract to begin the modernization process in 2023 and 2024.

A full conveyance modernization typically requires 16 to 20 weeks on average to accomplish the precision fabrication of replacement components, as well as the specialized equipment and rigging needed to remove and install extremely large parts in challenging locations. For example, a modernized 40-step escalator is comprised of over 12,000 moving parts. 

As we install new and rebuilt devices, we have found it difficult to obtain parts because of continued supply chain delays. It is taking as long as eight months to receive parts. In addition, some of our devices are obsolete and parts literally are built from scratch. Additionally, routine maintenance and inspections are required, which further reduces the number of units in service. The remaining units will be in some stage of modernization within the next seven years.

The first step a passenger takes from airplane to airport is onto a passenger loading bridge. MIA is improving that first impression by replacing or refurbishing all of its 126 passenger loading bridges. Installation of the first 32 has already been completed, with another 12 scheduled for completion in 2023. By 2028, 94 of MIA’s 126 bridges are scheduled to be replaced or refurbished.

This project also includes the design, fabrication, transportation, and installation of pre-conditioned air units, baggage chutes, and ground support equipment for each loading bridge.