Delta Air Lines, Inc. operates a route system that serves 161 domestic cities in 44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 55 international cities. Faced with an increased demand for more service, Delta decided to expand its route to Asia from Portland, Oregon. Excited with the prospect of the new Asian route, Delta determined that its existing terminal could not handle the traffic flow of passengers, cargo and staff with its current space at the Portland Airport. To meet Delta's new traffic volume, the Port of Portland contracted Baugh Construction to demolish and rebuild the terminal. Continuity of Delta's service could not be jeopardized.

Baugh Construction took an imaginative approach and called on ModSpace to provide a temporary modular terminal so Delta could continue to provide uninterrupted service. "We needed a walkway from the main airport that would allow passengers to bypass the construction area and get to the gates for their flights," said Herschel Reaves, general superintendent, Baugh Construction.

ModSpace can quickly respond to customer needs. With a cost-effective solution to expansion plans, ModSpace provided Baugh Construction with 32,000 square feet of buildings. The buildings were delivered, erected and ready for occupancy within ninety days of the receipt of the order. ModSpace coordinated security issues for delivery of each module to ensure compliance with airport regulations. After arrival at the airport, each module was coordinated through air traffic control and escorted approximately 1 1/2 miles across the airport.

ModSpace is flexible and buildings can be adapted for many purposes. For the Portland Airport project, forty modules make up 32,000 square feet which include office space, a communications center, a ground personnel restroom, three passenger gates and hold rooms, a passenger restroom, and a 14' x 750' elevated passenger walkway. The buildings also house a drug testing lab, a baggage handling area and a maintenance staff work room, as well as lounges for Delta flight attendants, pilots and ground personnel.

Modulars are built tough for heavy traffic. ModSpace buildings are built to withstand the rigors of commercial use - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For safety, the buildings are equipped with a sprinkler system, fire and security alarms, and airport flight information/call systems. The exterior features architecturally pleasing wood siding and insulated windows. The unique passenger walkway is set on steel shoring towers commonly used in bridge construction. The walkway changes elevation from 16 feet above ground to ground level, and back again to 16 feet above ground, bypassing construction.

The cost of conventional buildings can be staggering as is the possibility of lengthy delays and unexpected problems. Modular buildings cost less than new construction and offer time savings. By building a relocatable modular terminal, Baugh Construction was able to completely demolish the existing terminal and build the new version in stages. This saved Baugh Construction 10 to 12 months of time and substantial costs, as well. And Delta Air Lines, Inc. continued its service without interruption. Delta's innovative use of ModSpace buildings provided attractive and efficient space quickly.