DIA Gets Ready To Expand As Population Booms

DENVER (CBS4) - Plans are moving forward to add nearly 40 new gates to Denver International Airport in an effort to stay on top rapid growth.

On Tuesday, crews broke ground on one end of the airport's B Concourse, which will open first. By 2021, 39 gates will be added to the concourses at DIA.

It's one of the first projects under a larger, $5 billion expansion plan. This summer travelers will also notice work beginning on DIA's Great Hall, addressing a common sore spot among many major airports; security. 

In November of last year, the Denver City Council approved a set of contracts that will start the $1.5 billion project.

DIA expects to see about 60 million travelers this year. When the expansion is completed, the airport could handle up to 85 million.

Plans aren't finalized but the C Concourse could see the largest improvement with 16 new gates. The A concourse could see 12 new gates.

The airlines asked for the expansion, showing signs that Southwest plans to continue to expand services around Denver.

The A Concourse expansion could include larger gates to handle increased international traffic.

DIA officials say the airport's original design allows for easy expansion to the east and west of the current concourses, but this project could put the airport at capacity.

Any future growth would require an entirely new terminal.