Ronald Reagan Washington National/Washington Dulles International Airports Modernization and Expansion Program
Washington, DC, United States
Client: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
Parsons Brinckerhoff Role: Program Management/Construction Management
Reagan National Airport and Dulles International Airport served passengers efficiently for decades after opening in 1941 and 1962, respectively. Both airports, however, needed major upgrades to meet 21st century needs. In 1988, a $6.9 billion capital improvement program—one of the largest ongoing airport capital improvement programs in the world—was launched to improve efficiency, comfort and convenience at the two airports.
Parsons Management Consultants, a joint venture in which Parsons Brinckerhoff is a partner, was selected to provide program management services. Services include overall program management; design management; planning; solicitation and bid management; construction management; project controls, scheduling, and estimating; and operations and maintenance support. During the past two decades, the joint venture has overseen more than 150 projects at the airports. At times, the scale of construction required thousands of workers to be on site each day.
Key program elements at Reagan National Airport include a new 35-gate terminal and existing terminal improvements; three new parking garages; a new multi-level roadway system; utility relocations; new/expanded central heating and cooling plant; direct connections to rail transit service; an airport rescue and firefighting facility; and runway safety area improvements. Program elements at Dulles International Airport include a new International Arrivals Building and subsequent expansion; an addition to the main terminal; new parking garages; an improved multi-level roadway system with new bridges; utility relocations and upgrades; a new runway and associated taxiways; and airfield modifications to accommodate the new generation of large aircraft.
Both airports are being kept fully operational while the work is underway. Despite its complexity, the program has proceeded vigorously, while maintaining an excellent safety record.