Phoenix Business Journal
Lynsey Jones
15 Apr 2026
It’s a show most people could never imagine, and a rare construction operation that occurred on several occasions this spring while most Phoenicians slept. A steel beam weighing as much as seven elephants was lifted off the ground between two massive cranes to become part of a growing airport. For these tandem “steel picks,” the towering cranes were out of sight of each other and had to lift precisely at the same time and height. The operation necessitated increased safety measures along with extremely concise communication and meticulous coordination as construction crews began building the new North Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Terminal 3.
Each of the steel beams, weighing more than 66,000 pounds apiece, will be part of the new 173,000 square-foot North 2 Concourse of the John S. McCain III Terminal 3 at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The expansion is adding six gates, including flexible gates that are designed to accommodate multiple aircraft types, including widebody aircraft. The expansion helps PHX continue to provide an exceptional passenger experience that meets increasing travel demand in the Valley...
