Denver airport attains gate expansion milestones

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Denver International Airport officials recently recognized a pair of construction milestones regarding its Gate Expansion Program, noting final exterior structure beams were placed on Concourse C-East and B-East.

The topping out process represents the completion of the steel structure of the exterior buildings.

The scope of work, per authorities, includes 16 new gates being built on Concourse C-East, with 10 new gates slated for Concourse B-East.

United Airlines signed a use and lease agreement earlier this year
for the new B gates, officials said, including those on B-East. In February 2020, Southwest Airlines signed a use and lease agreement for all 16 gates being built on Concourse C. The effort would yield 39 new gates in total – increasing overall gate capacity at the airport by 30 percent.

“This is an exciting milestone as DEN continues to expand and improve our aging facilities and infrastructure,” Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day said. “This is our largest capital improvement program and I’m proud to say we are on schedule and within budget. The program we are undertaking is advancing the state’s most important economic asset while also providing valuable construction jobs during this uncertain economic time. I’m grateful to the team and all the essential employees working every day on this program and at the airport.”

Gate expansion construction began in the summer of 2018. Officials estimate that construction will be completed in 2021 with gates operational in 2022.