Dulles Airport Board to Vote on $19.9 Billion Modernisation Plan
Washington Dulles airport's governing board will vote on a $19.9 billion overhaul, featuring new tunnels and a terminal rebuild.
The board responsible for Washington Dulles International Airport is set to vote on Wednesday on a sweeping $19.9 billion modernisation programme. The plan, unveiled by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, outlines a major transformation of the facility, which serves as the primary international gateway for the US capital region.
A significant portion of the funding — $3.75 billion — is earmarked for constructing new underground tunnels. These tunnels are designed to replace the existing 'People Mover' vehicles that currently ferry passengers across the tarmac, a system that has been criticised for its slow speed and age.
The centrepiece of the proposal is a $6.2 billion reconstruction of the airport's main terminal. This work is scheduled to begin in late 2027. Following that, construction on the new tunnel system, which will also extend to a planned new concourse, is expected to start in early 2029.
However, passengers will need to be patient. The authority has indicated that construction on the new concourse will not be completed until at least 2039, meaning the full vision of the overhaul will take well over a decade to realise.