In less than a month, passengers touching down at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) will have a completely different first impression of New Providence.

Passengers will arrive at the new 226,000 sq ft International Arrivals Terminal, which houses Bahamas Immigration and Customs, a state-of-the-art baggage system, four restaurants, bars, lounges and six hotel reception stands.

The terminal, which marks Stage 2 of the LPIA expansion project, is set to open October 16.

This week, Nassau Airport Development’s (NAD) board of directors, headed by chairman Anthony McKinney, toured the construction site, as contractors put finishing touches on the facilities in time for opening day.

At the peak of construction, more than 500 workers–70 per cent of whom were Bahamian–were on site transforming the former US Departures Terminal into a sleek, three-story structure with barrel vaulted ceilings.

The new terminal mimics environmental design features found in Stage 1 of construction, including large roof overhangs to provide shade and reduce heat-gain, rain water collection, low-flush automatic plumbing fixtures and automatic building maintenance systems to control lighting and cooling.

The exterior design also incorporates a mix of 50 per cent glass and 50 per cent solid walls to maximize light and minimize heat intrusion.

General contractor Ledcor Construction commenced work on Stage 2 March 2011. To date, Bahamian firms have been awarded projects worth $38.9 million, equaling 30 per cent of the total value of construction contracts awarded.

An art programme, which started in Stage 1, has been expanded to include six pieces by local artists. All the pieces will be unveiled on opening day.

The final stage in the $409.5-million expansion project is set for completion in the fall of 2013 and involves the construction of a Domestic and International Departures and Domestic Arrivals Terminal.