S J O REOPENS RUNWAY VS

THE 2ND RUNWAY AT SAN JOSE MINETA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HAS REOPENED, AFTER 750 FEET WERE ADDED. NOW THE 2 EQUAL LENGTH RUNWAYS WILL INCREASE AIR TRAFFIC FLOW, WITH ONE USED FOR LANDINGS AND THE OTHER FOR TAKE-OFFS. BUT THE AIRPORT REMAINS IN A STATE OF FLUX AS A 9-YEAR EXPANSION CONTINUES. ONCE FINISHED VEHICLE TRAFFIC WILL USE SKYPORT DRIVE AS THE NEW MAIN AIRPORT ENTRANCE, WITH EXIT RAMPS DIRECTLY OFF HIGHWAY 87. TERMINAL CONSTRUCTION WILL BE DONE IN 3 PHASES. IN PROGRESS NOW, THE 1ST PHASE (ON THE NORTH CONCOURSE) SHOULD BE FINISHED IN 2007. THEN THAT SUMMER WORK ON THE SOUTH CONCOURSE BEGINS AND SHOULD FINISH IN 2010. FINALLY THE CENTRAL TERMINAL WILL BE BUILT TO CONNECT THE 2 SECTIONS, NO SOONER THAN 2012. WHEN FULLY FUNCTIONAL, A PEOPLE MOVER WILL TAKE PASSENGERS TO AND FROM A LIGHT RAIL STOP, OR A POSSIBLE BART STATION. TODAY'S TRAVELER WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE 1.8 BILLION DOLLAR AIRPORT ONCE THE MAKEOVER IS COMPLETE.