Gov. Linda Lingle has released more than $19.5 million for improvements to the air-conditioning at Honolulu International Airport as part of a $2.3 billion, 12-year airports modernization plan.

The project is being coordinated with other projects that will link the airport's major air-conditioning systems in order to save on energy costs, improve operational efficiency and add needed system redundancy at the airport, according to a news release from Lingle's office put out today.

Once completed, there will be three chiller plants capable of cooling the Overseas Terminal's three concourses and the Inter-Island Terminal, as well as future airport expansions, according to the release. The new chiller plants will be located at the Overseas Terminal and Diamond Head and 'Ewa concourses, respectively, and will be connected together through a common chilled water loop.

"Modernizing our airports is important to Hawai'i's image as a major tourist destination and to our economic growth," Lingle said. "In addition to reducing energy costs, this project will ensure the continued comfort of passengers and airport employees by equipping Honolulu International Airport with a fail-safe air-conditioning system."

Construction of the new Diamond Head chiller plant and the connective chilled water loop are near completion, which will allow the air-conditioning needs of the airport's Overseas and Inter-Island terminals to be met while this next phase moves forward. This project includes demolishing the existing Overseas Terminal chiller plant and renovating surrounding areas to accommodate a new, larger plant.

The $19.57 million released by Lingle is part of a total $21,804,000 budgeted for the project. That includes $1,734,000 for construction management services, a previous release of $39,500 for design, and $460,500 in federal funds.

Design is ongoing and scheduled to be completed this month, followed by bidding for the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2009 and be completed in June 2010.

The 'Ewa Concourse chiller plant will be replaced during the next phase. A future project will also replace the Commuter Terminal plant. Once all the improvements are completed, Honolulu International Airport will have the largest air-conditioning system in Hawai'i, with enough cooling capacity to air-condition the airport's existing spaces and future planned expansions.