The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has partnered with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on two newly constructed 50,000-square-foot security checkpoint buildings at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The new checkpoints are connected to walkways that serve Terminal Parking Garages B and C, as well as the airport’s Metrorail station, with multiple escalators and elevators providing connections to the ticketing and baggage claim levels.
The checkpoints feature 23 screening lanes to replace DCA’s existing 20 screening lanes, with the ability to eventually expand to 28 lanes. Each new checkpoint has two restrooms, American and Delta airline check-in kiosks and checked bag drop off, and 1,000 square feet of concessions space, which will open in the future.
“With the opening of these new security checkpoints, we welcome passengers to a new level of convenience and customer service at Reagan National Airport,” said John Potter, MWAA president and CEO. “The new checkpoints will streamline the path of many of the airport’s passengers, offering them more post-security space to dine, shop and relax prior to their fight, in addition to opening new pathways for passengers with connecting flights at Reagan National.”
The design of the new checkpoint buildings complements the existing terminal architecture with exposed steel, a curvilinear roof structure and large windows made of electrochromic glass that can transform from fully transparent to 99-percent opaque to help optimize the new structure’s environmental performance.
Limited concessions will be available in the public areas of each new checkpoint building while the construction of WHSmith Cafes continues. Passengers traveling on Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue and United who have cleared security will be able to access all airport concessions between Gates 10 and 59.
The opening of the new checkpoint buildings for Terminal B/C marks the final major milestone toward the completion of Project Journey, the airport’s $1 billion capital improvement program. A new 14-gate concourse, replacing the busing operation at Gate 35X, began serving passengers in April.
“We appreciate our passengers’ patience and understanding over the past few years, and in the months to come, during the construction process as we make improvements to substantially enhance our customers’ experience,” Potter said. “Once all this work is complete, we believe passengers will find the inconveniences to have been well worth it as we continue building the airport of the future to serve the National Capital Region.”
