Reagan National Airport Getting $1 Billion Upgrade

Reagan National Airport, located in Arlington, VA, has been around for more than 75 years now. Originally built to “comfortably” handle 15 to 16 million passengers a year, it is now serving more than 23 million, and the numbers are only growing. It serves more passengers than Dulles International Airport, an airport 14 times its size.

In order to better accommodate the significant increase in passengers, a $1 billion renovation has ensued and it is expected to be completed in 2021. The project will include a new commuter concourse on the airport’s north side. According to the Washington Post, they will construct a building to replace Gate 35X, “a notorious choke point where travelers, in rain, sun or snow, are required to board shuttle buses to get to their planes.” 1.2 million travelers pass through this “confusing” gate each year.

The project also includes road improvements, a new parking garage and changes to National Hall, the main, glass-enclosed walkway on the concourse level of Terminals B and C that features shops and restaurants. The upgrade will be paid for by airlines, not taxpayers. Since some of the work will require blocking traffic lanes, much of the work will be done at night.