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WATCH: Trump, Duffy announce $22.5 billion Dulles Airport renovation
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States /Energy & Infrastructure

WATCH: Trump, Duffy announce $22.5 billion Dulles Airport renovation

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • President Donald Trump announced a $22.5 billion renovation plan for Washington Dulles International Airport.
  • The project will replace the disliked "people movers" with a new train, walking tunnel, and moving walkways.
  • Trump aims to improve the airport, which he called "the worst airport," as part of his efforts to enhance the capital region.

President Donald Trump unveiled a sweeping $22.5 billion plan to renovate Washington Dulles International Airport, aiming to eliminate the unpopular "people movers" that have shuttled travelers for decades. The ambitious project, announced Wednesday, seeks to modernize the facility and improve the travel experience.

The proposed makeover includes a new U-shaped passenger train, a central walking tunnel, and expanded moving walkways to replace the mobile lounges. An above-ground parking garage with space for 32,000 vehicles is also part of the plan. Trump, who used renderings to illustrate the renovations, sharply criticized Dulles as "the worst airport" due to its "crazy distances" between terminals.

This transformation is another step in our ongoing efforts to make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful again.

โ€” Donald TrumpPresident Trump's statement on the goals of the Dulles Airport renovation project.

Trump framed the renovation as part of a broader initiative to make the nation's capital more attractive and enhance its global reputation. "This transformation is another step in our ongoing efforts to make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful again," he stated. "We're doing something with Dulles that's going to make it the top anywhere in the world."

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who joined Trump for the announcement, indicated that construction could begin next spring, pending congressional approval. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Dulles and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, will finance the project in conjunction with the airlines serving Dulles. Trump has previously expressed dissatisfaction with Dulles's design, though he praised the distinctive main terminal designed by Eero Saarinen.

We're doing something with Dulles that's going to make it the top anywhere in the world.

โ€” Donald TrumpPresident Trump's assertion about the future quality of Dulles Airport after the renovation.
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Originally published by PBS NewsHour. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.