Dulles Authority Seeks Bidders for $3.75 Billion AeroTrain Project

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has begun seeking proposals for a major infrastructure upgrade at Dulles International Airport. The project is budgeted at $3.75 billion and covers the design and construction of a two-station extension for the existing underground AeroTrain system.

The contract also includes the construction of a new pedestrian tunnel, identified as the Center Spine. This walkway will connect the main terminal to future concourses. By moving this capacity underground, the authority aims to streamline passenger flow between key areas of the airport without relying on surface-level transfers.

The bid process is currently open to firms interested in taking on the full scope of the design and build. The authority is gauging industry interest in handling both the transit expansion and the new pedestrian infrastructure as a single, integrated contract. This approach requires bidders to demonstrate capability in both rail engineering and large-scale architectural construction.

The AeroTrain has served as the primary automated people mover at Dulles for years. The proposed extension adds two new stops to the existing network. The Center Spine tunnel represents a new physical connection that did not previously exist in that specific configuration, linking the central terminal to areas where new concourses are planned.

Firms submitting interest must be prepared to address the logistical challenges of working at an active, high-traffic airport. The $3.75 billion figure represents the total budget allocated for the project, covering labor, materials, and design fees. The authority has not yet set a deadline for the submission of formal bids, but the solicitation marks the start of the competitive procurement phase.

This project sits alongside other regional transportation discussions. Virginia officials are currently considering shifting $239 million annually to highway maintenance starting in fiscal year 2028, a move that reflects a wider focus on preserving existing infrastructure. At the local level, Alexandria is deactivating 61 license plate readers this week following privacy concerns, a decision that may influence future surveillance spending in the region.

The next step for the AeroTrain expansion is the formal solicitation of bids. The authority will review expressions of interest to determine which firms move forward in the selection process. No construction date has been announced, but the budget allocation indicates the project is a priority for the airport's long-term capital plan.