A Big Change is Coming Oct. 6
As progress continues on our BNA Vision expansion and renovation plan, there’s a change you’ll need to know about.
Beginning Oct. 6, 2020, the central escalators, elevator and stairs, and the current Level 1 entrance will close due to construction. But don’t worry!
- New escalators will open on the North and South sides of Levels 1, 2 and 3 to help you move between levels.
- New entrances are also opening on Level 1 this week, and the ground-floor escalators and elevators are right inside.
- Signs will direct you to the new entrances.
- Have a heavy bag? When you enter on Level 1, elevators are located just past the escalators for an easy ride to the Departures level.
Here’s why:
- We’re undergoing a major terminal renovation, complete with a higher roof and a distinctive new roof canopy.
- To do this, we have to build a 198-foot tower crane where the central elevator and stairs are today. That means demolishing the central escalators, elevator and stairs.
- This closure is necessary for the safety of our passengers, guests and employees.
Thank you for your patience as we build a bigger, better BNA. It’s going to be world-class!
Click here to watch a video simulation of canopy construction.
Raising the Roof: Canopy Construction Begins in October
Remember the cranes we showed you last week? And remember the distinctive roof canopy you’ve seen in BNA Vision renderings the last couple of years? Well, canopy construction gets underway in October.
Hensel Phelps shows how it will get built in this video. From renderings to reality!
Quick facts:
- The new canopy will be 695 feet long and 224 feet wide.
- It will stretch from the west face of Terminal Garage 1 (directly across from the Terminal) to the end of the new International Arrivals Facility.
- At its highest point, the canopy will stand 105 feet off of Level 1 of Terminal Drive, making it taller than the guitar pick elevator lobby canopy on Terminal Garage 2 (91 feet high).
- A pedestrian bridge will be built just beneath the canopy, allowing passengers to cross Terminal Drive above traffic to move between the Terminal and Terminal Garage 1.
BNA’s Concourse D: A 115,000-Square-Foot Model of Sustainability
BNA’s new Concourse D is not just a place to catch your flight. It’s a LEED-registered project and a 115,000-square-foot model of sustainable design, construction and operation.
Concourse D, which opened in July 2020 with the certification goal of LEED Silver, features six domestic aircraft gates and a variety of sustainable features including energy efficient, programmable lighting, water-conserving restroom facilities, electrochromic glass, a modernized central utility plant for heating and cooling the terminal, recycling receptacles, architectural design that provides natural light and compelling views, public art installations that enhance the passenger experience and more.
Design architect: Corgan
Design-build team: Hensel Phelps and Fentress Architects
▶️ Watch the Concourse D sustainability video
Click here for the Concourse D sustainability fact sheet
About LEED
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). usgbc.org
Frequently Asked Questions: One BNA, Two Terminals
BNA now operates as TWO distinct terminals as construction gets underway in the center of the Departures level. Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about this change.
Is this change permanent or temporary?
This development is temporary, but it will last until late 2023, when construction is scheduled to be completed on the major elements of the terminal expansion and renovation.
Will this affect my arrival time? Do I need to arrive earlier than normal?
No. As always, passengers are advised to arrive in the terminal at least two hours prior to their scheduled departure.
What if my connecting flight is in another terminal?
The vast majority of arriving and connecting flights will be in the same terminal. Passengers whose connecting flights are not in the same terminal as their arriving flights will need to exit the terminal and go through the security checkpoint at the other terminal.
Will the Baggage Claim be affected by the terminal split?
No. The Baggage Claim will not be split during construction.
If my connecting flight is in a different terminal from my arriving flight, will my luggage carry over to my connecting flight?
Baggage should carry over to your connecting flight. You should not have to go to the Baggage Claim to retrieve your baggage to take with you. However, we recommend checking with your airline upon arrival, just in case.
Will this change affect where passengers are dropped off?
Watch for curbside signs on the Departures level. They will tell you where to drop off passengers, either North Terminal or South Terminal. Beginning in January 2021, the center of the Ticketing Lobby will close, making it even more important to drop off passengers at the correct terminal, as passengers will not be able to cross through the Ticketing Lobby as they can today.
Is there anything I should know about parking?
Passengers may continue to park in the garage or surface lot they prefer (Terminal Garages 1 & 2, Terminal Lot A and Valet). Click here for daily rates and more information about parking options.
My favorite restaurant or shop is not in the same terminal I’ll be using. What are my options?
Click here for a listing of food and retail options by terminal, or click here for an interactive map.
How can I get assistance if I have a question?
We have two Information Center kiosks on the Departures level: one on the North side, and one on the South side. You may also call 615-275-2098 for assistance.
Why do you have to close the center lobby completely?
For the safety of our passengers, and to speed up the construction timeline. The center of the Departures level will be a construction zone with demolition and construction happening simultaneously. By phasing the construction process in this way, we will be able to reopen the center of the Departures level approximately a year earlier!
Will the terminal connect again at the end of construction?
Yes. All concourses will connect on the secure side of the airport in 2023, once construction is complete.