The Des Moines Airport Authority has broken ground on the new $445m terminal, which is slated to open in late 2026.
Airport Authority Board Chair Jake Christensen kicked off the celebration, welcoming over 100 guests to the groundbreaking ceremony. Guest speakers, including Des Moines mayor Frank Cownie and the Governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, spoke about the importance of the Des Moines International Airport (DSM) to the city, region, and state and celebrated the significant step forward in Iowa's aviation history.
Christensen spoke of plans to construct a state-of-the-art facility with expanded security screening, enhanced gate operations, efficient baggage handling systems, elevated dining and retail options, and modernised technologies and infrastructure systems. The new terminal and concourses will offer 18 contact gates on opening day, a 50% increase in aircraft capacity, creating opportunities to grow air service to meet the community's needs.
Airport Authority Board chair Jake Christensen at the groundbreaking
Local governments – who committed more than $28m to the project – attended the groundbreaking. Among them were several senior representatives of the Polk County Board of Supervisors. The Board voted to issue a bond referendum for the November election that, if approved by voters, will allow the county to issue bonds for the airport that will significantly reduce the overall cost of the project.
Also in attendance were Lift DSM Terminal Project partners from Anser Advisory, HNTB, and Weitz | Turner, a joint venture. Anser Advisory serves as the owner's representative on the project, HNTB is the lead architectural firm, and Weitz | Turner is responsible for constructing the terminal and bringing the vision to life.
Terminal site preparation will continue until spring 2024, when foundations will be set. Following the installation of the terminal foundations, vertical infrastructure will start.
Images: Des Moines Airport Authority
