WASHINGTON – A new Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport expansion plan will pave the way for more overseas flights and shorter lines.
The project will add gates at Concourse D and E to allow more airline carriers to offer international travel.
International travel jumped 21 percent last year so a secure connector between Concourse D and E will give passengers more room and ease congestion though a new security checkpoint.
Southwest Airlines, which has expressed interest in adding overseas flights, tells The Baltimore Sun that it supports the plan.
The project will cost $125 million over three years. Of that, $100 million will be funded by fees collected on each airline ticket, while $25 million will be funded through the Transportation Infrastructure and Investment Act of 2013 that the Maryland General Assembly passed in its last legislative session.
In a statement, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said the plan will add hundreds of jobs and “increase travel, trade and business development.”
The first of the contracts for the expansion will be considered by the Board of Public Works July 24.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2016.
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