Denver International Airport officials said Tuesday that the facility will build pedestrian walkways to connect its concourses by repurposing existing underground baggage tunnels.
This project aims to reduce passenger reliance on the current concourse train system. By providing an alternative route, the airport intends to create a quicker way for travelers to move between gates and improve the overall passenger experience.
CEO Phil Washington and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston led the announcement of the initiative. The plan involves converting dormant infrastructure into functional paths for travelers. According to official plans, construction is slated to begin in 2027 [1].
The decision to use baggage tunnels allows the airport to expand passenger mobility without building entirely new subterranean structures. This approach leverages existing space to alleviate congestion during peak travel times, a persistent challenge for one of the busiest airports in the U.S.
While the primary timeline points to a 2027 start date [1], some reports suggest the airport may begin repurposing specific dormant sections as early as this month. The scope of the project remains a point of discussion, with some reports indicating a limited connection to Concourse A and others suggesting a continuous network linking every concourse.
Airport officials said the project is part of a broader effort to modernize the facility. The transition from baggage-only tunnels to passenger-ready walkways will require significant updates to safety, lighting, and ventilation to meet public transit standards.
“The airport will repurpose underground baggage tunnels to create a new transit network.”
The conversion of baggage tunnels into pedestrian walkways represents a strategic shift toward diversifying passenger flow. By creating redundancy in the transit system, the airport mitigates the risk of total concourse isolation during train malfunctions and addresses the logistical bottlenecks common in hub-and-spoke airport designs.
