(The Center Square) – Virginia’s Dulles International Airport has been awarded $35 million in federal funds to go towards the expansion of a new 14-gate terminal building.
The Dulles addition will mark the third expansion for commercial air travel in Northern Virginia.
The $35 million is a sliver of the nearly $2 billion being invested in Northern Virginia commercial airports in recent years.
The most recent funding announcement for the anticipated 40,000 square foot terminal came from Virginia Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner Thursday. The expansion is ultimately expected to cost between $500-800 million.
“This new concourse would represent a major improvement in the passenger experience at the regional gates,” said Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter.
“[It is] the first step in a long-term strategy to expand and enhance the facilities and services at Dulles International Airport as we look toward the future,” Potter added.
“The Airports Authority is working with United Airlines, the largest carrier serving Dulles, and other airlines in planning the design, funding and construction of the new concourse,” according to the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority.
Partial funding for the project was attained through a Federal Aviation Administration grant as part of the $1.2 trillion “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” signed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
The Dulles expansion comes on the heels of last summer’s decision to add another commercial airport to the capital region, transforming Manassas Regional Airport to accommodate commercial airlines. The two airports are roughly located only 15 miles apart.
As previously reported by The Center Square, the Manassas City Council unanimously voted to expand commercial flight operations. When the two-phased project is complete, the airport is expected to add 18-24 flights daily. The Manassas airport expansion is expected to cost between $75-125 million.
Reagan National Airport opened a new 14-gate concourse in 2021, replacing an outdoor boarding area. The new concourse included concessions and two large security screening buildings, with the project costing approximately $1 billion.
Reagan sits on the banks of the Potomac, located roughly 25 miles from Dulles and Manassas airports. Both Reagan and Dulles are accessible by Metro trains.