The board overseeing Washington Dulles International Airport approved a renovation plan proposed by President Donald Trump, which includes eliminating "people movers" while maintaining the main terminal. The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) approved a $19.9 billion funding package on Wednesday to support the project, which is set to begin in 2027. This funding adds to the previously approved $4.4 billion for the overhaul, bringing the total authorized funding to $19.9 billion.
Trump's renovation plan, initially announced last month, is estimated to cost $22.5 billion and aims to address what he described as the airport's "incorrectly designed" layout. The approved funding will cover five main construction packages, including renovations to the main concourse, new concourses, and the replacement of airport shuttles with automated systems, as well as the construction of an underground train system.
The largest portion of the funding, $6.2 billion, is allocated for the main concourse renovation. The upgrades to the people-mover system and concourse buildouts are expected to cost $3.75 billion and nearly $10 billion, respectively, with the entire project anticipated to take 15 years to complete.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy noted that the renovation will also feature a new parking garage with 32,000 spaces near the terminal, which Trump claimed would be the largest garage in the world. The renovation is primarily financed through bonds paid by airline companies, as stated by MWAA CEO Jack Potter, rather than federal funding. Potter expressed appreciation for the support from United Airlines and other airlines in funding the project. The initial phase of the overhaul began during the Biden administration with the $4 billion previously approved for the construction of a new Terminal E, while the Trump administration later expedited the planning for the full-scale renovation.