About the project
“I'm old enough to remember when we opened this airport in 1999; it was a big day. It was a modern, yet relatively modest facility that was designed to cater, at that point in time, to a medium-sized city,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. “... Today, we are a big international city. We are witnessing, as part of that, a historic transformation with this airport that mirrors our city's full evolution into a major global destination.”
To support a new, 20-plus gate concourse, ABIA broke ground on two new parallel concrete taxiways. The project will streamline aircraft movement by connecting the runways between the existing Barbara Jordan Terminal and future Concourse B, according to a news release.
Other project highlights include:
- Two bridges under the taxiways to improve connectivity for airfield support services
- Installation of airfield lighting, signage and a new taxi route for low-visibility conditions
- Pavement recycling and drainage improvements
- Roadway changes and construction of a new parking lot on the south side of the airport
- Enhancements to security fencing
- New reclaimed water line and bulk refilling station
While construction is underway, there will be no disruption to flight schedules. However, those flying should expect temporary traffic changes on the airport’s south side beginning in 2025, as the airport prepares for the closure of the South Terminal in 2026.
Travelers can stay informed on construction updates by visiting the Journey With AUS page.
By the number
The project is funded through airport cash reserves, current and future airport revenues, future revenue bond proceeds and Federal Aviation Administration grants, with no local tax dollars involved, according to ABIA staff.
Approval for an estimated $26.7 million in design work and $320 million in construction costs has been approved by Austin City Council, who oversee airport budgeting.
ABIA was also awarded $2.8 million in federal grants through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program and $14.25 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Airport Terminal Program.
The airport has applied for another $200 million in federal grants for the next fiscal year.
The project is part of larger plans for a multi-year and multi-billion dollar expansion program, known as Journey with AUS.
The Midfield Taxiways project represents a major investment in Austin’s infrastructure, supporting the creation of local jobs, Austin City Council member Vanessa Fuentes said.
“As we look forward to the completion, I'm also excited that with this project, we're talking about more jobs and greater opportunities. And here in my community, we will see firsthand the ripple effect of [the entire] expansion program,” she said. “We're going to see over 64,000 new jobs, many of which will be union backed and adhere to one of the the largest, if not the largest, minimum wage in the country.”
The completed project is also expected to drive other economic growth in Central Texas by improving critical airport services for business and tourism, ABIA officials said.
“We're not just building a bigger airport, we're building a gateway that would connect Austin to the world. Midfield Taxiway Project isn't just another milestone, it's a game changer,” ABIA CEO Ghizlane Badawi said. “It is significantly enhancing our airfield capacity and setting the stage for the much anticipated concourse B and concourse C in the future.”
Plans for the entire airport expansion are being rolled out in three phases.
The why
TSA and baggage lines continue to pile up as the number of travelers in the Austin airport has consistently seen increased passenger volume in recent years.
Transportation Security Administration officials said this summer—from May 24 to Sept. 3—was forecasted to be the busiest summer for travel ever seen, nationwide.
This year alone, four days made the list of top 10 busiest days ever for ABIA.
As holiday season approaches and local events like Austin City Limits, Formula 1 and The University of Texas versus the University of Georgia create extra traffic at the airport, Fuentes urges travelers to plan plenty of time.
“We're expecting 47,000 passengers to go through our airport [Formula 1] weekend. We know, on average, you get about 20,000 per day, so we're talking about double the amount of passengers that weekend,” Fuentes said. “So it's important that for anyone traveling in our airport throughout the month of October, arrive early, ensure that you pack enough time in your schedule so that you're not rushed. And if you do experience any any long wait times, just know we’re trying to move as many people as possible.”
Also of note
Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson applauded airport leaders for their environmentally friendly initiatives.
”We're excited that the Midfield Taxiways Project includes a commitment to sustainability through reclaimed water use.” Roalson said. “... This project will include a reclaimed water pipeline and [reclaimed water] bulk filling station for construction of the taxiways... Using reclaimed water for construction work will save millions of gallons of high quality drinking water.”
