Upgrades and renovations currently underway at Des Moines International Airport (DSM) in Iowa.
The Des Moines International Airport is undergoing a significant expansion, with the project expected to be completed by 2027. The $445 million project, which is being led by the Des Moines Airport Authority, involves several key partners including Farnsworth Group for architecture, IMEG Corporation for MEP engineering, Walker Consultants for structural engineering, Bolton & Menk for civil engineering, and IP Design Group for technology.
The expansion project, which began with a groundbreaking ceremony in November 2023, will see the number of gates at the airport increase from 6 to 18. A new parking garage with 1,222 parking slots has already been constructed as part of the project, connected to the new terminal through a pedestrian walkway.
The new terminal, which is the primary focus of Phase 1 of the expansion, will feature upgrades to the passenger arrival and departures areas, security checkpoints, baggage handling systems, dining spaces, and retail outlets. The new ramp for the parking garage is a cast-in-place post-tensioned concrete type of structure.
According to Zachary Loy, VP and General Manager of Turner Construction Company, the joint venture between Turner Construction Company and The Weitz Company is responsible for carrying out the construction project. Loy also emphasised the importance of the airport to the local economy and its significance to the region's transportation. He referred to the Des Moines International Airport as the "front door" to the Iowans.
The expansion project is expected to address the rise in passenger traffic at the airport, as it served a record 3 million passengers in 2023. In addition to the construction work scheduled for 2027, the project also includes demolitions and renovations.
While some sources mention a total project cost as high as $769 million, recent updates confirm that the new terminal is consistently cited for a planned opening in 2027. The construction project is currently at the halfway point, as of June 2025, and is expected to be completed in 2026.
Meanwhile, construction on NYC's first-ever professional soccer-specific stadium, Etihad Park, has also commenced. The San Antonio International Airport has also started a $1.4 billion terminal project. These developments highlight the ongoing investments in transportation infrastructure across the United States.
The significant expansion of the Des Moines International Airport, planned for completion by 2027, involves not only the construction of a new terminal but also the finances of the $445 million project, as it is being funded by various partners in the finance industry. Additionally, the transportation sector will benefit from the increase in available gates at the airport, as well as the construction of a new parking garage, connected to the terminal via a pedestrian walkway, which signifies advancements in the architecture and engineering industry.
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