Austin Approves $2B for Airport Improvements

The City of Austin has allocated nearly $2 billion for improvements at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The biggest contract is a $1.03 billion construction deal with Hensel Phelps Construction to build a new concourse and accompanying tunnel. 

The Austin Business Journal reports that the new concourse could add 20 gates to the airport. Once the contract becomes effective, Hensel Phelps has about 3 and a half years to complete construction. 

The other deals include a $45 million design contract with Skidmore Owings and Merrill LLP for a new arrivals and departures hall, as well as an $820 million construction contract for the new hall with Austin Commercial LP, which has about 4 years to complete construction.

In August, the council approved about $500 million to redesign the airport’s taxiways to accommodate the construction of the new concourse, designs for a new tunnel connecting the new and old concourses, and redesign the baggage system to accommodate future growth at ABIA.