A new system soon will be implemented to identify gates and baggage claim areas at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport as part of the airport’s modernization plan.

Beginning June 1, existing identification signs at all gates and baggage claim areas will be temporarily covered with placards with new gate and baggage claim identification numbers. Passengers also will notice new gate numbers printed on their boarding passes.

When the project is carried out, crews will replace the placards with new permanent signs. The $23 million sign replacement project involves replacing approximately 3,100 signs inside and outside of the airport, along the roadways and within the terminals and parking structures.

New digital signs also will be installed above roadways to direct people to airline lobbies and check-in counters.

Work will involve electrical work, installation of ground-mounted roadway signs, ceiling patching and other related improvements.

The project is slated to be completed in the summer of 2019.

Signs are being replaced as crews prepare to start construction on the Mauka Concourse in June. Officials also are in the planning stages for the new Diamond Head Concourse.

Tim Sakahara, state Department of Transportation spokesman, said signs at the airport have not been updated for more than 25 years.

In a news release, Jade Butay, director of the state DOT, said, “The new numbering and identification coincides with our efforts to modernize HNL and make our signage more consistent with other airports. Ultimately it will make the entire facility more efficient and user friendly, while allowing for future expansion.”

Gates will be identified by a letter followed by a number. For example, Gate 57 will be renamed A-17.

Existing letters in the baggage claim areas will be replaced with numbers. Baggage claim area F, for example, will have two separate carousel identification numbers.

As the airport implements the new system, both airline and airport employees will help direct passengers to their respective gates and baggage claim areas to ensure a smooth transition, according to Blaine Miyasato, co-chairman of the Airlines Committee of Hawaii.

Other changes at the airport include the following:

>> The Interisland Terminal will be identified as Terminal 1 (Hawaiian Airlines).

>> The Overseas Terminal will be identified as Terminal 2 (all other airlines).

>> The Commuter Terminal will be identified as Terminal 3 (Mokulele Airlines ).

Terminal 3 will relocate to the Diamond Head side of the airport May 29 with passengers to enter from Aolele Street between the United Cargo and Delta Cargo facilities.