The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has celebrated the ‘topping out’ of Terminal 1, which saw the highest steel beam placed in the structure.

The $2.4bn project is slated to be completed in phases from 2019 to 2022. Once finished, it will provide a complete new concourse and boarding area B, along with a centralised security checkpoint.

Additionally, the project will deliver new dining and retail concessions, consolidated baggage handling systems, and post-security connecting walkways.

SFO director Ivar Satero said: “We are proud to reach this milestone in the largest construction project at SFO.

“We are proud to reach this milestone in the largest construction project at SFO. Terminal 1 sets new standards for us and the industry in guest experience, technology, and sustainability.”

“Terminal 1 sets new standards for us and the industry in guest experience, technology, and sustainability. My thanks go out to the entire project team for their collaboration, dedication, and passion.”

Boarding Area B will comprise a total of 25 gates, including seven ‘swing’ gates that can accommodate international arrivals by offering direct access to the US Customs & Border Protections Federal Inspection Area.

Connecting walkways, which are located post-security, will give easy access to International Boarding Area A and Boarding Area C.

SFO said that nine gates in Boarding Area B and the consolidated security checkpoint will become operational by July next year, while an additional nine gates will be opened in this area by March 2020.

By the second quarter of 2021, International Connector, seven additional gates as well as swing gates will be operational. Terminal 1 will become fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2022.

The construction of the new Terminal 1 has been divided into Boarding Area B (BAB) and Terminal 1 Center (T1C) projects.