ARLINGTON, Va. — A billion-dollar construction project at Reagan National Airport is amping up in the new year. Airport officials said those passing through the airport in 2020 will see the most dramatic changes as part of Project Journey.
“This is the year where you’ll see visible progress," Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokesman Brian Kalish said. "This is the year where everything we’ve seen on paper -- everything we’ve seen in planning -- really comes to fruition."
When the project ends next year, all of Terminals B and C will be moved behind completely new security checkpoints. A concourse of 14 new gates will be added, doing away with the dreaded bus ride to Gate 35X.
Kalish said the framework of the new concourse is nearly complete. "It’s starting to really look like a building," Kalish said. "This is a world-class airport and it’ll be that much better when it’s done."
Project Journey broke ground in 2017. Up until now, Kalish said that work has largely been behind the scenes. The foundation and concrete pilings are now in place for the steel structure of two 50,000-square-foot security buildings.
Most steel beams will be moved into place at night to minimize the impact on passengers, but some roads will need to be closed overnight, Kalish said.
Airport officials said that starting January 6, the outer lanes of the Terminal B and C arrivals lower-level road will be closed weekdays from midnight to 9 a.m. Those getting a ride or taking a ride-sharing service will have to get picked up on the ticketing level.
Pedestrian tunnels connecting Terminal B and C to parking garages and Metro now have new protective structures in place and moving walkways have been removed, said Kalish.
"It’s short-term pain for long-term gain," Kalish said.
