If you’ve been to Denver International Airport lately, you know there’s a lot of construction going on. It’s all part of a more than $2 billion renovation project.
When construction is complete in 2022, the terminal will look completely different and the concourses will have new gates.
With the help of DIA, and our 9News/TEGNA Art Department, we decided to take viewers on a virtual tour of the renovated airport.
The first thing you’ll likely notice is that all of the ticket counters on both sides of level 6 will be consolidated and moved to the south end. The north end of that level will be security, which will be moved up from level 5 where it is now.
Security will feature what DIA is calling “security suites,” and each one will allow about 30 to 35 people to line up at one time.
Travelers will go through a new automated security line that should be a lot faster. DIA managers say the security area will also be spread out, so it will be a lot safer than the system in place now.
Since there will be no security on level 5, the area will have a lot more room for new restaurants, bars and retail stores, as well as couches, big TVs and entertainment areas.
When travelers make their way down to the trains, it will be similar, except DIA is adding two new trains to support the growing needs of the airport.
In all, 39 new gates will be added to A, B and C concourses. They’ll be added at the ends, so construction shouldn’t affect the passengers much, DIA said.
When it’s all said and done, DIA will be able to accommodate 80 million passengers, up from the 64 million who used the airport this year.
The renovation is being paid for through airport operating funds and a public-private partnership. The agreement calls for the private “Great Hall Partners” to get revenue from concessions for the next 30 years in return for their investment.
The whole project is expected to be done in 2022.