Airport Groundside Development and Roadway Network, Lester B. Pearson International Airport
Toronto, Canada

DMJM+HARRIS (Holmes & Narver Canada Inc.), in a joint venture with UMA Engineering Ltd., is managing a multiyear contract to provide complete design for groundside development at the new Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto. The airport redevelopment consists of two major projects: (1) the new terminal facility, and (2) the groundside development, for which the DMJMHARRIS team is responsible. The groundside project consists of all access and circulation roads and bridges; the design of the off-site roadways surrounding and accessing the airport; a multipurpose parking garage with 10,000 parking spaces; all site services and utilities; and associated systems and facilities common to an international airport (including site utilities, landscape architecture, security systems, and signage).

The DMJM+HARRIS-led team—operating under the name of The Greater Toronto Airport Groundside Association (GTAGA)—has developed a construction phasing plan that enables the airport to remain fully operational during major demolition and multiyear construction. Getting passengers, airport staff, and flight crews in and out of the new terminal development/construction area safely and efficiently is the number-one priority. GTAGA has also developed the most efficient temporary roadway system possible to minimize the amount of temporary construction and to provide a smooth transition to the permanent system.

GTAGA’s scope of services began with traffic planning and analysis and master planning for the people-mover; circulation, curb, and queue management; utilities; theming and signage; demolition; and permitting. GTAGA then performed preliminary design, and is now completing detailed design in four major areas: site development and utilities; on-site roads and bridges with tie-ins to major transportation systems; off-site roadways leading to and from the airport; and the parking garage. GTAGA is also preparing bid documents, and will provide design services during construction.