John Matthews
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Reagan National Airport is getting an expansion and facelift.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced a $1 billion project Wednesday that includes the construction of two new security checkpoints that will fully connect the Terminal B/C concourse to the airline gate areas, and create a new enclosed concourse for commuters to replace 14 existing outdoor gates.
The plan also includes future roadway and parking improvements through new configurations.
“Reagan National’s passenger areas were designed to serve 15 million passengers annually,” said Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter in a press release. “Today, more than 23 million passengers travel through the airport—straining its infrastructure, crowding travelers and hampering our ability to provide best-in-class customer service. Project Journey will transform and improve the passenger experience.
Construction is scheduled to begin this summer, with work occurring in two concurrent phases. The first, comprised of the new security checkpoints, is planned to open in 2020, while the commuter concourse is scheduled for completion in 2021.
To prepare for construction, the Airports Authority’s staff will relocate from airport grounds to Crystal City in April, and the current headquarters building will be demolished to make way for the new concourse.
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