The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said last Thursday that it is providing $15 million for the construction of a new inline baggage handling system at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The money does not include the cost for acquiring explosive detection systems (EDS) that will be used to screen checked bags inline. The Transportation Security Administration said the purchase of EDS technology will occur later in the construction process.
San Francisco International is one of 17 airports that DHS is considering providing monies for checked baggage explosives detection screening projects using ARRA funds. The airport has an inline baggage handling system for its existing terminals. The ARRA funds will provide an inline system for a new terminal.
DHS says that it has obligated nearly 20 percent of its ARRA funds so far and expects to obligate more than 50 percent by the end of September.