WASHINGTON – President Trump announced a $22.5 billion overhaul of Dulles International Airport, including the removal of the “Star Wars” like people movers and adding a massive parking garage.
“It’s time to ensure that the United States has the greatest airports anywhere in the world. And we’re starting right here with the capital city,” Trump said.
“We’re unveiling exciting plans for a major and long overdue renovation and reconstruction of Washington’s really horribly thought of Dulles International Airport.”
Trump has long disparaged the dated airport that sits about 20 miles outside of Washington D.C., particularly railing against the airport’s shuttles, nicknamed “people movers.”
The president has never been a fan of the movers, which are used to transport people between terminals.
“Between the trams and the Star Wars thing. They call it the Star Wars. And elevated buses. Nobody knows what’s going on,” he said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy first used the “Star Wars” descriptor.
They look “like it’s from Star Wars, if you will, and they’re slow and people are angry about them.” Duffy of the people movers. He said the current airport “is dark, it is dated, a little dank maybe.”
It was built over a three-year period between 1959 and 1962.
Trump was personally involved in the redesign. He showed off renderings of the new airport in the Oval Office on Wednesday, using a laser pointer to highlight various aspects of the project, and construction blueprints covered the Resolute Desk.
“This is exciting to me as a builder,” he noted.
The plans include five new terminals to replace the four existing ones; an underground tunnel to allow people to walk between terminals; more moving sidewalks; and a 32,000-space parking garage.
“We’re building a massive nine-story, eight-story, 10-story. We’re not sure yet – but we’re building a garage, that is a parking garage that will be right next to the terminal,’ Trump said.
“You’ll walk right across the street, and you’ll have a glass bridge, a number of glass bridges that will go right into the terminal. Right now, you have to walk so far.”
There will also be modern check-in areas, more efficient security screenings, hotels, new restaurants and shops.
The project will cost $22.5 billion and be paid for through a series of bonds and by the airlines. It’s expected to take two years to complete.
“Cost was no object, unfortunately or fortunately,” the president said.
Duffy noted that United Airlines, which is the main carrier at Dulles, will chip in money.
“United is going to partake in part of the payment, but the airlines who participate in the project are going to pay for it,” Duffy said.
The original curvature design of the main terminal will remain. It was the vision of legendary architect Eero Saarinen.
“We are announcing plans to add more than 5,000,000 square feet of new or renovated space will replace the current C and D concourses, which are basic disasters, all the while preserving the iconic original terminal that is one of the great architects of the world,” Trump said.
It’s Trump’s latest DC makeover project, coming after changes at the White House, the Kennedy Center and the city’s parks.
At one point, Republicans mulled renaming Dulles for Trump. It is one of three Washington-area airports. But, ultimately, the Palm Beach International Airport in Florida was given the president’s moniker instead.
Trump is looking at changes to that airport too.
“Palm Beach is going to be one of the top two. Palm Beach is going to be incredible,” he said. “That’s going to be an unbelievable airport very shortly.”
