Blue Grass Airport's Baggage Screening System Receives National Award of Excellence

Lexington, KY – Blue Grass Airport's state-of-the-art "in-line" baggage screening system has received an award for Excellence by the Foundation for Integrated Services. The foundation, comprising many of the largest and most respected construction and design firms in the world, bestows awards of excellence to recognize the most outstanding design-build projects in the United States and the world each year. The Design Build Excellence Award is among the highest forms of recognition in the construction industry and stands as a shining example of quality work and professionalism.

Lexington's "in-line" system is a checked baggage screening facility designed to provide enhanced safety and convenience for travelers. The project was undertaken following the events of September 11, 2001, to comply with a mandate from the U.S. Congress that all commercial service airports install explosive detection screening systems, including 100-percent checked baggage screening by December 31, 2002.

The $3.4 million project was constructed in a confined area, infringing on the operation space of six different airlines. Since the airline areas are in continuous operation from 4am to 11pm contractors were allowed only a brief five hour window for construction of the system. Despite the limitations, work was complete in 12 weeks; a full two weeks ahead of schedule. The architect for the Blue Grass Airport system was Gresham Smith and Partners (Nashville, TN) and was designed and built by Cincinnati based Messer Construction Company with engineering assistance from Lexington's Quest Engineers.

The "in-line" baggage screening facility at Blue Grass is one of only five such systems in the U.S. and has become a model for small and medium sized airports to emulate. Since its installation, airport representatives from across the U.S. and a number of foreign countries have visited Lexington to learn how to install their own "in-line" system.

"The installation of this new baggage screening system places Lexington in a leadership role among the nation's airports in the field of aviation security. The facility met the Congressional deadline for 100 percent baggage screening and allows Central Kentucky travelers to experience a high level of safety and security with no additional delays or inconveniences due to security." said airport director, Michael Gobb.