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As air travel continues to recover from the pandemic downturn, airport projects are taking off. Many are getting cash infusions from the federal Jobs and Infrastructure Investment Act, which designates $15 billion over five years for runways, safety and sustainability efforts, terminals, airport transportation connections and highway projects. Of that, $2.89 billion was made available for airport projects in fiscal year 2023.
Here are seven major airport expansions across the country that are planned, starting or underway.
Reconfiguration of the international airport of St. Louis Lambert
Cost: $3 billion
Place: Sant Lluís
Contractor: TBA
Status: Planning in progress
The plans for the airport in St. Louis are calling for a single consolidated terminal with 62 gates, up from the current 54 in two terminals, with 60% more concession and retail space and 6,000 more parking spaces. The 12th signatory of the airport airlines have agreed to finance 75 percent or more of the $332 million in projects to free up space for the proposed airport expansion, Fox 2 reported last month. Part of this work could begin next year while negotiations and environmental studies are pending.
According to the airport, the existing aging terminals lack functionality, lack sufficient concession space and have high maintenance costs.
The Federal Aviation Administration approved a master plan to reconfigure the airport in May, but it still needs environmental approval and an agreement with those 12 airlines for the rest of the work. If the project goes ahead as planned, it would start in 2026 and finish in 2031.
Concourse B at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Cost: $1.1-2 billion
Location: Austin, Texas
Contractor: TBD
Status: In prior planning
The new 20-door Concourse B from $1.1 million to $2 million The project is underway at Austin-Bergstrom, in the preliminary planning stages. It will include passenger and tenant spaces, boarding bridges, baggage handling system expansion, aircraft apron expansion and underground services, as well as a new underground tunnel.
Austin-Bergstrom is one of the nation’s fastest-growing airports in terms of passenger volume, and has struggled to keep up with the area’s population growth. To meet this demand, there are a variety of efforts underway at the facility in various stages of completion.
In August, Hensel Phelps began building $165 million west gate expansion. It involves adding 84,500 square feet over three levels of new passenger amenities, including waiting areas and concessions, replacing the current 12 boarding bridges and three new gates to compensate for closures during future expansion projects . Construction is estimated to be completed in the spring of 2026, according to the airport.
Expansion of Denver International Airport
Cost: $1.3 billion
Place: Denver
Contractor: Hensel Phelps
Status: Under construction
The $1.3 billion Great Hall expansion project, which began in 2018 under a consortium led by Spanish contractor Ferrovial, will see Denver International Airport expanded and renovated over nearly a decade. Greeley, Colo.-based Hensel Phelps took over as general contractor in 2020, after Ferrovial abandoned the project. The builder has already increased Jeppesen Terminal by 31,000 square feet, along with an additional 158,500 square feet of newly renovated space, according to the airport’s website.
The project is currently in Phase 2, which includes a new security check and escalators, and will be completed in early 2024. The final completion phase of the project is also underway, which includes systematic reviews of the toilets, the floor and lighting. It will feature new experiences for passengers at check-in areas and meeting stations, and a new center to develop aviation careers for underrepresented groups, according to the project’s website.
William P. Hobby Airport West Concourse Expansion Project
Cost: $470 million
Place: Houston
Contractor: TBA
Status: Planning in progress
The $470 million expansion at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport will include seven additional gates that can accommodate domestic and international flights, as well as an expanded and renovated baggage handling system and baggage claim area, according to a statement from the airport system in Houston.
It will also include a canopy along the departure sidewalk that will protect from inclement weather and connect the current red garage to the terminal, according to the release. Currently, the project is still in the planning and endowment phase, according to the airport.
Expansion of Des Moines International Airport
Cost: $445 million
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Contractor: Turner and Weitz JV
Status: Under construction
New York City-based Turner Construction and McLean, Va.-based Weitz will build Phase 1 of the $445 million expansion at Des Moines International Airport, according to Turner.
The project, which began on Nov. 6, will add six more gates, bringing the total to 18. It will also replace and expand security areas, gate operations, passenger arrivals and departures, baggage handling systems and options elevated dining and retail sales. , according to Turner’s statement.
Minneapolis-St. Renovation of Paul International Airport
Cost: $242 million
Location: St. Louis, MO Paul, Minnesota
Contractor: TBA
Status: Under construction
The $242 million in improvements at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s Terminal 1 is the largest terminal renovation project the airport has undertaken, according to the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates the airport.
Partially funded by Delta Airlines, the upgrade will provide a unified design to six of the terminal’s seven concourses and approximately 75 Delta gate lounges, according to the release.
Work on concourses D and F began at the end of October, according to the statement. Renovation of Concourse C will begin in February 2024. Improvements to Concourses A, B, G and the skyway bridge connecting Concourses C and G are planned for 2025.
Missoula Montana Airport Expansion
Cost: $109 million
Location: Missoula, Montana
Contractor: Martel Construction
Status: Under construction
There are several phases of construction at Missoula Montana Airport: Phase 1, the South Concourse, wrapped in January at a cost of $67 million, with more capacity and safety features, as well as new amenities.
Work on the east lobby extension is now underway, with a budget of $42 million. This second phase of construction will include four new aircraft gates, car rental counters and an expanded baggage claim. It will open in phases and is expected to be completed in early 2025.
Bozeman, Montana-based Martel Construction is building both phases of the project.
