Colorado's busiest airport, Denver International Airport (DEN), announced on Friday that it would tentatively close the A-Bridge and Ansbacher Hall.
The airport is working through construction upgrades to convert the Bridge Security Checkpoint, A-Bridge, and Ansbacher Hall into a post-security area.
The upgrade project is expected to last until the third quarter of 2025 and eventually convert Bridge Security, A-Bridge, and Ansbacher Hall into a passenger-only area once security has screened them. The overnight closures, set from 18:00 to 04:00 Monday through Thursday, will mean that passengers must use the train to get to Concourse A.
By the third quarter of 2025, a new East Security Checkpoint will open, from which passengers can access the main terminal from the concourse.
A separate, isolated, pre-security corridor will run parallel to the secure part of Anscbacher Hall, providing access for staff to the Denver Airport administrative office.
This upgrade is part of the airport's Great Hall Project, now in its final phase. It is set to prepare Denver International Airport to prepare the airport for more than 100 million passengers yearly.
In addition to the East Security Checkpoint, we will see the airline check-in facilities getting spruced up at the end of Level 6 and opening a new greeting area for domestic and international arrivals.
The new East Security Checkpoint will include 17 new screening lanes, with technology similar to the West Security Checkpoint. In addition, four new elevators are being installed to move screened passengers from Level 6 to the train platform. The Great Hall program is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The airport was built to serve 50 million passengers yearly. Once this project is complete, it will prepare the airport to double passenger numbers by 2027.
It has already noted plans to add another 100 aircraft gates within the next few decades, future-proofing one of the busiest airports in the United States. Key features of the completed project include:
- New security checkpoints, with more screening lanes, meaning less waiting and improved safety for all passengers
- Renovated check-in areas
- Updated restrooms, new flooring, lighting, and elevators/escalators
- Refreshed meet and greet areas for domestic and international arriving passengers
- Centre of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (more details below)
Throughout its redevelopment, the airport has created around 6,500 direct, 500 indirect, and 1,300 induced jobs for those in the Denver metropolitan area, all in line with the airport's strategic plan, Vision 100.
By 2027, up to 100 million passengers will transit through the airport, which is set to better serve its passengers by expecting new airlines and more destinations to connect Denver to the world.
As part of the airport redevelopment, Denver International Airport has committed funds to construct a new 'Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation'.
The purpose of this center is to engage, educate, empower, and provide opportunities for underrepresented students and young people to learn more about careers in aviation.
This center is set to aid in developing a future skilled workforce and a place to develop best-practice aviation knowledge.
