TerminaLink

Infobox rail line
name = TerminaLink
color = 3355FF

---

image_width = 250px
caption =
type = People mover
system =
status = Operational
locale = George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas
start = Terminal B (west)
end = Terminal D / E (east)
stations = 3
ridership =
open = May 24, 1999
close =
owner =
operator = Johnson Controls Inc.
character = Elevated
stock = 12 Bombardier CX-100 vehicles
linelength = 0.7 miles (1.1 km)
tracklength =
notrack = 2
gauge =
el = Third rail
speed = 30 mph (50 km/h)
elevation =

TerminaLink|

TerminaLink is a people mover system operating at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. The system is 0.7 miles (1.1 km) long, and runs along the north side of the airport, beyond airport security. [cite news| url= http://frequentflyer.oag.com/stories/12082005/f122101-2.asp | title=Living up to its Name: Houston Intercontinental | date=2005-12-08 | accessdate=2007-11-11 | first=Jerome Greer | last=Chandler | publisher=Official Airline Guide ] The system serves four of the airport's five terminals, with three stations at Terminal B, Terminal C, and International Terminal D/E, respectively. TerminaLink is one of two people movers currently operating at Bush Intercontinental Airport. The other people mover, known as the inter-terminal train, opened in 1961.

The system uses Bombardier CX-100 people mover vehicles, which are powered from a 600-volt third rail. There are a total of 12 vehicles in the system, and each vehicle travels at 30 mph (50 km/h) and can hold up to 80 passengers. The same type of vehicles are also found at Denver International Airport (Automated Guideway Transit System), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Harsfield-Jackson International Airport APM), Orlando International Airport, San Francisco International Airport (AirTrain), and Tampa International Airport.

History

The TerminaLink system opened on May 24, 1999 [cite news| url= http://www.continental.com/web/en-US/apps/vendors/default.aspx?i=%2Fweb%2Fen-US%2Fcontent%2Fcompany%2Fnews%2Frelease%2F1999-05-24-02.html | title=Continental Airlines Opens New Houston Monorail as Part of $200 Million Renovations | date=1999-05-24 | publisher=Continental Airlines | accessdate=2007-09-12] as a 0.1 mile (0.2 km) line with two stations, connecting Terminal C and Terminal B with a maintenance building for the rail vehicles between the two terminals.. The system was funded by Continental Airlines at a cost of US $58 million, and was built to provide easy access between the airline's two airport terminals. Construction was completed in a total of 30 months [cite web | url=http://www.sparchitects.com/Terminalink.html | title=TerminaLink, High-Speed Automated People Mover | publisher=Spencer Parternship Architects | accessdate=2007-09-12] and was the last phase of Continental's US $200 million airport expansion project.cite news| url= http://www.amarillo.com/stories/060899/bus_direct.shtml | title=Being direct | publisher="Amarillo Globe-News" | first=Max | last=Albright | date=1999-06-08 | accessdate=2007-09-12]

In 2001, the system was expanded 0.6 mile (0.9 km) from Terminal C to Terminal D.cite web | url= http://bombardier.com/index.jsp?id=1_0&lang=en&file=/en/1_0/1_2/1_2_2_1_3_11.jsp | title=Automated People Mover System – George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, USA | accessdate=2007-09-12 | publisher=Bombardier] The electrical work for the expansion was supervised by TAG Electric Company who installed over 71 miles (114 km) of cables and wires for the project.cite web | url = http://www.seine.com/ProjectsandNews.htm | title = Projects and News | publisher = TAG Electric Company | accessdate = 2007-11-12 ]

Currently the airport is expanding the line to Terminal A at a cost of US $100 million, and construction began in early 2008. [ [http://www.fly2houston.com/0/815936/0/1906D1940/ Houston Airport System ] ]

References