Dulles airport board set to vote on $19.9 billion overhaul, new underground rail link
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, Aug 17 (Reuters) - The board that governs Washington Dulles International Airport will vote Wednesday on a $19.9 billion overhaul that includes rebuilding the main terminal, replacing the slow People Mover vehicles with an underground rail connection and adding a new concourse.
The proposal before the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority includes $3.75 billion for the tunnel work, according to a summary posted Monday. Another $6.2 billion is earmarked for the main terminal reconstruction, with construction to begin in late 2027. The airport authority said work on the tunnels would start in early 2029, allowing the People Mover to be removed and the rail line extended to a new concourse. That concourse is not expected to be completed until at least 2039.
Of the total, $4.4 billion has already been approved. The rest would be financed largely through municipal bonds, making it one of the largest airport overhauls ever proposed in the United States. The board previously approved a separate $7 billion capital plan for Dulles, and the proposal on Wednesday's agenda does not include a massive new parking garage and transportation center.
President Donald Trump last month announced a broader $22 billion vision for Dulles. The project is the latest in a series of major construction efforts he has promoted around the U.S. capital. The reliance on bonds has also raised questions about costs to airlines, which generally pass along airport fees in fares.
If approved, the plan would add or renovate 5 million square feet of airport space. Dulles was the fastest-growing large U.S. airport last year by passenger traffic, handling a record 29 million passengers in 2025, up 6.4%. This fall, United Airlines customers are set to use a new 435,000-square-foot (40,412-square-meter), 14-gate concourse.
Dulles is about 25 miles (40 km) from Washington and opened in 1962. The main terminal, designed by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen, has a sloping roof that sweeps up toward the sky on opposite sides, giving the airport a distinctive look. The proposed work would reshape that landmark while preparing Dulles for another phase of growth.