Harry Reid airport plans 26 more gates and a Terminal 1 overhaul

Harry Reid International Airport is preparing a multibillion-dollar modernization that would grow Terminal 1's A and B concourses from 39 gates to an estimated 65. Clark County Department of Aviation planners outlined the program to the Clark County Commission, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports, and the airport is expected to keep operating while the work moves through a series of phases.

The biggest capacity gain starts with a new pier of about 11 gates, built toward the empty site where Terminal 2 once stood. Once that wing is open, crews can rebuild the circular "satellite" A and B gates into a straight pier layout with room for about 33 gates instead of the current 23. When the program is finished, Terminal 3 will be renamed Terminal 2.

There is no set timeline for the gate work yet, and a cost estimate is not expected until next year. Clark County plans to seek federal funding for much of it.

Travelers should notice smaller changes sooner. New escalators and elevators at Terminal 1 will let passengers walk from baggage claim to the parking garage without crossing the taxi lanes. Taxis will move to the other side of the building and ride-hail pickups will take their place, which the airport says will free up about 330 garage parking spaces. The 10 trams serving the C and D gates are due to be replaced by the end of the year.

New building additions at the A and C gates will bring more restrooms and new food and drink options, including a Starbucks, a Chick-fil-A, a pizza concept and a full-service bar.