ORLANDO, Fla. – If your summer travel plans take you to Orlando International Airport’s newest terminal, you’re in for an uncomfortably hot hike to get to Terminal C (still) if you’re coming from the tram or train station.
The yet-to-be-completed, air-conditioned pedestrian bridge that will connect the People Mover station (which delivers passengers from the old A and B terminals) and the Brightline terminal with Terminal C is now almost a year behind schedule.
Currently, there is still only one way to walk to Terminal C from the tram and the train: through the open-air Terminal C parking garage.
Since the $2.8 billion south terminal complex opened in 2022, News 6 has reported on one of the chief complaints: the long walk made even longer and more difficult for passengers dropped off at the Brightline station or those who ride the People Mover from the north terminals A and B.
A $100 million enclosed pedestrian bridge promises to bring relief - but likely not this summer.
[See more below on why the pedestrian bridge will make travel easier at MCO]
Until then, passengers, loaded with luggage, are forced to trudge through the open-air Terminal C parking garage and over the rubber expansion joints in the floor - unfriendly to small suitcase wheels. News 6 witnessed countless passengers struggling with their suitcases or carts that suddenly stopped or overturned when getting caught in the expansion joints.
The in-door pedestrian bridge with rental car counters has been in the works since 2023, when the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority awarded the $100 million construction contract to airport terminal builder Weitz.
However, an email sent to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings in May from Weitz subcontractor Sky Builders USA described “a critical issue” involving the bridge: 12 local subcontractors were not paid $10 million by Weitz for their work on the bridge for more than half a year.
“This project, awarded by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) to Weitz Construction in 2023 for approximately $100 million, has become a source of serious concern for the local business community,” the subcontractor told the Mayor. “Unfortunately, their handling of this project has been marked by severe delays-now nearly 12 months behind schedule-and major budget overruns. Most troubling, however, is the fact that at least 12 local subcontractors have not been paid for their work since October 2024 The total amount owed is estimated at approximately $10 million.”
[SEE PART OF THE EMAIL BELOW]
Sky Builders USA reminded Demings of Weitz’ payment obligations.
“According to the GOAA contract, Weitz is required to pay subcontractors within seven days of receiving monthly payments from the Authority,” the subcontractor wrote. “Despite this clear requirement, GOAA has continued to pay Weitz while the subcontractors remain unpaid. We believe this constitutes a gross misuse of public funds and in our case our job is done and accepted by GOAA.”
GOAA responded on June 1 with a notice to Weitz “demanding that Weitz immediately pay its subcontractors all amounts owed and received from the Aviation Authority.”
GOAA Capital Program Senior Vice President Max Marble told Weitz failure to pay subcontractors is a “breach of Weitz’s Agreement.”
[SEE THE NOTICE BELOW]
“The Aviation Authority has given verbal and written notice to Weitz demanding it pay the subcontractors,” Marble told Weitz in the notice. “Weitz’s improper certifications constitute a basis for immediate termination under Section 14.2.1(12) of the Contract between the parties. Additionally, Weitz’s failure to have paid its subcontractors monthly within ten (10) days after receipt of the Aviation Authority’s payment to Weitz is an ongoing violation of Florida’s Local Government Prompt Payment Act, Section 218.735(6).
Marble warned Weitz if future payments are not made, GOAA “will issue direct payments to such subcontractors and offset such sums against Weitz’s future payments.”
According to GOAA Public Affairs Senior Vice President Angela Starke, Weitz now appears to be up to date with subcontractor payments but “there are some disputed amounts being worked through.”
Pedestrian Bridge projected completion date, however, has now slipped from fall 2024 to end of summer 2025.
“The current estimate from the contractor is late August to early September,” Starke said.
In a June email to News 6, Weitz Marketing Director Rachel Delzell said Weitz was working towards a “resolution.”
“The Weitz Company, as a standard practice, does not comment on issues related to individual contracts,” Delzell said. “However, we take concerns from our trade partners seriously and are committed to fostering strong, transparent relationships with all trade partners and suppliers. In the construction industry, as an owner pays for work placed, the general contractor subsequently pays trade partners and suppliers for the approved value of work completed. While we recognize that disputes can arise and often involve differing perspectives, we are actively meeting with both the airport and subcontractors to work toward resolution. The Weitz Company values our partnerships with owners and trade partners, is committed to honoring contractual terms on every project, and takes pride in helping build thriving communities alongside a diverse network of contractors.”
News 6 emailed Weitz for an updated comment this week on Monday, Tuesday and again Wednesday but received no response.