Screening cars and trucks is important in today’s airport security environment. The most recent vehicle-screening building at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport, along with an addition to the existing building, allows the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to thoroughly inspect and assess vehicles quickly.

The team focused on coordinating with CATSA to minimize disruptions to the airport’s ongoing business functions throughout the relocation and build. By carefully planning and phasing, and by pre-engineering the new structure, we helped CATSA maintain their operations so that their current screen services could continue during construction.

The insulated metal building has drive-in bays, allowing CATSA to screen vehicles before they proceed airside; this is a departure from the previous screening process for vehicles at the airport and an upgrade to their procedures. The positive response to this new, more seamless process was apparent immediately. Those entering the airside field benefit from the increased efficiency and a process that takes less time than before. 

Security requirements change frequently in the world of transportation, and this can affect construction.  We tapped into the knowledge we have by being an international organization and learned best practices from another PCL office who had recently built a similar facility in another city and had faced similar challenges. The Ottawa PCL team adapted these shared ideas and solutions and applied them at the Ottawa International Airport.