DIA Unveils Final Phase of Great Hall Renovation, Details Future Projects
Denver International Airport’s Great Hall Project is nearing completion, with officials unveiling plans for the final phase of the terminal’s renovation. DIA CEO Phil Washington announced that the remodeled terminal will highlight “the spirit of Colorado” and better accommodate growing passenger numbers. The project, which began in 2018, has seen multiple budget and timeline changes, but officials now expect it to be finished on time and within its revised $1.3 billion budget by 2027.
While other major projects at the airport are underway, Washington emphasized that they won’t disrupt passengers like the Great Hall construction has. Future projects include the addition of a seventh runway, an 11-gate expansion of Concourse C West, and improvements to Peña Boulevard, which has seen an 80% traffic increase since the airport opened in 1995.
To reduce congestion and emissions, DIA plans to relocate rental car facilities closer to the airport, expand baggage claim areas, and enhance the international arrivals section. Additionally, 14 new airport train cars will replace aging models, aiming to prevent disruptions when the system goes down.
Despite concerns about potential federal funding cuts, Washington stated that most of the final-phase budget relies on local funding, with only some federal dollars supporting baggage system modernization. DIA officials remain confident that as a major U.S. air hub, funding for essential projects will continue as planned.
