Denver International Airport Will Ask City Council To Add $1.1 Billion And 4 Years To Current Construction Project
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver International Airport officials plan to ask Denver City Council to add significant time and money to an existing construction contract at a committee hearing next week. A proposition posted to the City Council's agenda show that airport leaders will ask for more than $1 billion and four years to the current Great Hall Project contract.
The current contract currently sits at $770 million, but if City Council approves the request, the total would increase to nearly $1.9 billion. The proposition also extends the final deadline for upgrades from the end of 2024 to the end of 2028.
The resolution requests major upgrades to the north ticketing check-in area on Level 6, the construction of a new TSA security checkpoint that can accommodate up to 17 more security lanes, the purchase of equipment for 34 high-capacity screening lanes, upgrades to existing escalators and the construction of new elevators, a refresh of baggage claim areas, and a new domestic and international arrival area for greeting passengers on Level 5. Several other items included in the original contract proposal but then subsequently cut after the project ran into budget and schedule delays.
The original contract with Great Hall Partners was terminated in 2019 due to significant cost and schedule overruns.
The contracts for four companies would increase significantly:
--Hensel Phelps Construction Company's contract would add $900 million and 1721 days for a total of more than $1.2 billion.
--Jacobs Engineering Group's contract would add $50 million and four years for a new total of $102 million.
--LS Gallegos' contract would add $50 million and four years for a new total of $78 billion.
--Stantec Architecture's contract would add $100 million and four years for a new total of more than $133 million.
In a statement to CBS4, DIA officials say the improvements are necessary as DIA's recovery from the pandemic continues to grow.
"Denver International Airport is one of the fastest recovering airports in the U.S. and is expected to continue to grow, reaching 100 million passengers in approximately 10 years," a representative for the airport said. "As we prepare for this growth, it is essential that we complete this final phase of the Great Hall Project to enhance security, increase capacity and improve the passenger experience. We know there is never a good time for construction but the longer we wait, the more difficult it will be – for our passengers and for our airlines. This project is absolutely critical if DEN is going to remain a top airport and a strong economic engine for our state and region, while providing jobs and revenue for our region."
All projects would be slated to be completed no later than December 31st, 2028.
Denver City Council's Business, Arts, Workforce, and Aviation Committee is set to hear the proposition from DIA leaders on Wednesday.
