Core Summary

  • U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a complete overhaul of Washington Dulles International Airport near Dulles, Virginia, continuing his efforts to reshape the Washington, D.C. area.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said at a White House press briefing that the project is financed with $22.5 billion in bond funding. Construction crews will replace the terminal, add gates, and remove the existing people mover system, replacing it with a U-shaped train system.
  • The announcement follows a request for proposals issued by the Department of Transportation in December for modernization efforts, seeking design, financing, and construction assistance for new terminals and concourses, stemming from Trump's August executive order on beautifying federal buildings.

Deep Dive

No contractor was named in the announcement, and as of press time, the U.S. Department of Transportation had not responded to Construction Dive's inquiry.

According to the announcement, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, and United Airlines will jointly oversee the project. The $22.5 billion figure marks an increase from the previous $7 billion Dulles modernization plan.

The airports authority will work with airlines operating at Dulles to fund the new terminal and concourse facilities through municipal bonds. Other parts of the project will also open the door to public-private partnership investment opportunities.

"This new construction effort builds on the multi-year Dulles master plan developed with our airline partners to modernize Washington's primary international airport," said Jack Potter, president and CEO of the airports authority, in the announcement. "We appreciate the Trump administration's interest in accelerating our plans and look forward to building new facilities that will make the nation proud."