Dulles Airport Board Approves $19.9 Billion Modernization Plan
Washington Dulles Airport's board approved a $19.9 billion overhaul, including new tunnels, a rebuilt terminal, and a modern transit system.
The board overseeing Washington Dulles International Airport has given the green light to a sweeping $19.9 billion modernization plan, marking one of the largest airport overhauls ever proposed in the United States.
The ambitious project, approved on Wednesday, includes a $6.2 billion reconstruction of the main terminal, which is slated to begin in late 2027. A key component of the plan is the allocation of $3.75 billion for new underground tunnels and an automated passenger transportation system, designed to replace the slow-moving vehicles currently used to ferry travelers across the tarmac.
According to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the new tunnels, transit system, and a new concourse are expected to be completed by 2034, alongside the main terminal renovations.
To fund these improvements, the cost to airlines for boarding passengers is projected to rise significantly, from the current $13 to between $60 and $65 by approximately 2038. This increase will help cover $1.1 billion of the costs associated with the new tunnels and automated transit system.
The approved plan is a scaled-down version of a $22 billion proposal announced by President Donald Trump last month, which also included a massive parking garage and transportation center. The project will create 5 million square feet of new or renovated airport space and will be largely financed through $14.2 billion in new municipal bonds. The airport authority had already approved $4.4 billion of the total funding.
Dulles was the fastest-growing large U.S. airport last year, with passenger numbers climbing 6.4% to 29 million. This fall, the airport will add a new 14-gate concourse for United Airlines, which accounts for about 70% of its passenger traffic.