CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Destination CLT project entered a new phase on Tuesday as officials at Charlotte Douglas International Airport broke ground on the new 366,000-square-foot terminal lobby expansion.

• CLT Airport broke ground Tuesday on its new 366,000-square-foot terminal lobby expansion project
• Terminal expansion is the largest construction project in CLT Airport history
• Will take roughly six years to complete

The $600 million project will add 175,000 square feet and renovate another 191,000 square feet of the current terminal lobby. Officials say it is the largest construction project in the airport's history.

“The Airport has been preparing for years to begin construction of the Terminal Lobby Expansion,” Aviation Director/CEO Brent Cagle said. “We began in 2013 with the removal of the original Hourly Decks to build the new roadway and make room for the expansion. Now that we’ve broken ground, we’re excited to start a project that will go above and beyond modernizing the terminal.”

In addition to adding additional circulation space on the arrivals/baggage claim and departure/ticketing levels, the expansion will provide passengers ample seating, modern ticket counters, numerous charging stations, and five concession spaces. Officials say the airport's five security checkpoints will also consolidate into three larger, more efficient checkpoints that will feature automated screening lanes to help expedite the screening process.

The expansion project will also include a 146,000-square-foot exterior canopy that will cover the elevated roadway and terminal curb front.

Officials say two pedestrian overhead walkways and two subterranean walkways will also connect the hourly deck to the terminal. This will allow passengers to bypass upper and lower level traffic.

“Our passengers will be very pleased with the outcome,” Cagle said. “We’re taking a 37-year-old building and converting it into a state-of-the-art facility that offers the latest amenities, stunning artwork, new concessions, and nearly doubles the space in Ticketing and Baggage Claim.”

Officials with CLT Airport say the expansion project will take about six years to complete.