Two projects at Honolulu International Airport will receive a total of $3.5 million under an appropriation that has been released by Gov. Linda Lingle.

• $2.3 million will be used to modernize the system that controls who can access secured areas of the airport, and the camera and video systems used to monitor the airport.

• $1.2 million will be used to strengthen second-level turnaround areas to accommodate new and heavier Wiki-Wiki buses.

The improvements are part of a 12-year, $2.3 billion airports modernization plan, Lingle said in a news release.

The existing access control and monitoring system was installed in the early 1990s and it is increasingly difficult and expensive to obtain replacement parts, Lingle's release said.

The state is upgrading the existing magnetic swipe and personal identification number system to a proximity card and PIN system. The new system will also be equipped with biometric capabilities to comply with future TSA requirements.

The current closed-circuit TV system, which has reached its capacity, will be modernized, making it possible for security personnel to monitor more areas with more cameras, the release said.

The total cost of the security project is estimated to be $9.14 million, which includes $5.77 million in federal funds and a previous state allotment of $1.09 million.

Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2008 and be completed in June 2010.

Also released yesterday was money to install additional steel support beams at the second-level Diamond Head and 'Ewa bus turnaround areas to increase their load capacity for the eight new Wiki-Wiki buses that will take transport passengers from the arrival gates to baggage claim areas. As a short-term solution, steel plates have been installed in parts of these turnarounds.

Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2009 and be completed in September 2009.

Other key projects underway at the Airport include the construction of a International Arrivals Sterile Corridor and a 1,800-stall parking structure that is scheduled to open before Christmas.