While San Jose is larger than Oakland and San Francisco, its airport has fewer travelers than those cities. Burger King and McDonald's are the marquee food attractions.

New features will include state-of-the-art baggage systems; a 3,400-space parking garage; expanded food and beverage offerings; and tunnel jetways that connect travelers to the airplanes.

Already under construction is a new North Concourse that will link Terminals A and C. Terminal C will ultimately be replaced with a new, 14-gate Terminal B.

In a briefing scheduled for today, airport leaders will unveil a new design for Terminal B and for a glass-faced annex at Terminal A. The annex would allow ticket counters to be moved to the ground floor and free up space for more concessions on both sides of the security checkpoints. Currently, Terminal A offers no dining options outside the metal detectors.

Crews also plan to improve traffic flow on the airport's winding, circular roads.

Driving in and out of the airport "sometimes requires superhuman skills to be able to read signs and steer at the same time," said Councilman Sam Liccardo, whose district includes part of the airport.

Starting in early July, crews will build a temporary "Skyport Connector" that links travelers directly from Terminal C to Skyport Drive. The roadway is designed to save motorists time heading out of the airport, rather than having to loop all the way out to Coleman Avenue, as is the case now.

"This will make it intuitively easier to get in and out," said Rich Dressler, an airport spokesman.