Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) East Expansion Baggage Handling System

The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is undergoing a major terminal expansion to meet the demands of being the busiest airport in the state of Montana. The two-story addition adds approximately 70,000 sf of secure concourse and support spaces, and five new departure/arrival gates, in addition to extending their incoming/outgoing baggage handling system. Coffman provided fire protection engineering support for multiple stages of these projects and will continue supporting the expansion through the projected completion date of 2030.

The baggage handling system project, a $23 million engineering improvement project, extended the airport’s baggage handling system capabilities and added multiple new scanners to incorporate the newest TSA technology for advanced screening capabilities. This required extensive remodeling of the existing baggage handling areas and expanding into the shell space developed in another phase of the project. The state-of-the-art Baggage Screening and Explosive Detection technology upgrade significantly transformed baggage operations at BZN. The airport’s baggage handling capabilities now operate at a level comparable to Denver International Airport and Salt Lake City Airport, but on a much smaller scale.

Coffman provided multiple submittals of BIM-coordinated fire sprinkler bid-level drawings and performance specifications for both the terminal expansion and subsequently the phased remodel of the baggage handling areas. Work includes modifications to the existing sprinkler systems, review of contractor provided shop drawings, and construction administration services. Coordination efforts by the design team during the contract phase resulted in minimal RFI’s and no change orders in Coffman’s scope.