Siemens to handle baggage for Detroit

Walbridge/Barton Malow LLC has awarded Siemens a $19.1m design and build contract for an inline baggage handling system as a part of the new Detroit North Terminal redevelopment project.

The $418 million North Terminal redevelopment project includes demolishing the James M. Davey Terminal and the construction of a two-level terminal with 26 gates and approximately 67,000m2 of space. The new terminal is expected to open in 2008 and will accommodate the airlines currently operating out of the Smith and Berry Terminals.

Siemens will design, build and integrate the baggage handling system, which includes 2,919m of conveyor and 23 patented high-speed diverters to route all checked baggage through Explosive Detection Systems before loading onto departing aircraft. The system will provide automatic and unobtrusive screening of checked baggage. Siemens will also supply six baggage claim units. Additionally, the contract includes Siemens’ integrated software solution that will monitor, control and report on all system activity.

The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport served more than 36 million passengers in 2005, representing a 3.2 per cent increase from 2004. The airport handles approximately 1320 arriving and departing flights per day.