Counter Terror Gazette

Lambert-St. Louis awarded $42 Million for new security screening systems

18 Sep 2010

(St. Louis) Lambert-St. Louis International Airport has been awarded more than $42 million for new inline baggage screening systems in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The funding will total the single largest investment at Lambert focused on enhanced airport security measures which includes the installation of state-of the-art technology to detect and disrupt threats of terrorism.

“This funding gives Lambert and the Transportation Security Administration tremendous technological advances to ensure the safety of our passengers and improves the passenger experience to the same level as many other airports in the country,” said Lambert Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge.

The new inline baggage screening systems streamlines the ticketing process by eliminating the need for passengers to carry their luggage from ticket counters to current baggage screening areas in the ticket lobby. Furthermore, baggage screening will be improved with more centralized screening operations and technology that reduces the number of re-scans and physical bag searches.

The Airport is receiving $29 million in stimulus grant funding for the construction of new screening systems in Terminal 1 and an additional $13.6 million from the FY2010 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for a new screening system in Terminal 2.

“I would like to thank our very supportive Congressional Delegation for their work on these two grants, especially Senator Claire McCaskill who worked diligently for more than two years to present Lambert’s needs for federal support to both the TSA and DHS,” said Hamm-Niebruegge.

With the help of Missouri’s Congressional leaders, Lambert made the case that timing was critical to make the necessary security upgrades now because Lambert is beginning $50 million in renovations this fall to Terminal 1 and its connected concourses. The federal funding will now allow the Airport’s renovations and the construction of the inline screening systems to occur simultaneously, thus reducing passenger disruptions and project costs.

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The security projects will also mean additional design and construction jobs for the St. Louis area. Earlier this year, Lambert received a $3.3 million stimulus grant for the design of the new baggage system which paved the way for the allocation of construction funding.