The expansion project consists of the construction of athree-floor, 1.9 million-sf terminal and associated infrastructure.The infrastructure includes an elevated roadway system, baggagehandling system, 14 aircraft gates, federal inspection services andthree pedestrian bridges from terminal to parking.

Bids were received and opened one month ago. Subsequent to thebid opening, the other bidder, a joint venture of McCarthy BuildingCos. and Kiewit Construction Co., filed a protest alleging that forcertain reasons Perini was not the best bidder despite its bidbeing more than $200-million lower. Staff reviewed the protest,interviewed the parties involved and still recommended Perini asthe best bidder.

The written request to delay the vote came from SouthwestAirlines, which handles more than 40% of all passengers atMcCarran. "The current state of the industry is at an all-time lowand there is much uncertainty as to what the future holds,"Southwest's property manager Linda Macey states in the letter. "Werequest that any non-essential expenditures be deferred and thatall remaining projects be re-evaluated for any and all cost savingspotentials."