Austin Airport Breaks Ground on Six-Gate Concourse M
Hensel Phelps is the prime contractor and Stantec/Fentress leads design for the satellite concourse, with passenger opening targeted as early as 2028.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport held the official groundbreaking for Concourse M on September 29. The airport described it as a ceremonial milestone, with construction to begin soon, within the multibillion-dollar Journey With AUS program.
The airport’s latest announcement names Hensel Phelps as prime contractor and Stantec/Fentress JV as design lead. The approximately 37,000-SF facility will provide four contact gates and two walk-out positions for narrow-body aircraft.
Project at a Glance
- Project:
- Concourse M, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
- Groundbreaking:
- September 29, 2026
- Latest announced area:
- Approximately 37,000 SF
- Gates:
- Six · four contact and two walk-out
- Prime contractor:
- Hensel Phelps
- Design lead:
- Stantec/Fentress JV
- Previous filed construction value:
- Approximately $60 million
- Passenger opening target:
- As early as 2028
A Bridge During Airport Expansion
The west-airfield facility is designed for six narrowbody gates: four contact gates and two walkout positions. Passengers will connect with the Barbara Jordan Terminal by shuttle, making bus facilities and transfer arrangements part of the operational scope.
Concourse M is intended to preserve gate capacity during larger works. It is expected to transition to a cargo-related use later, giving the temporary passenger facility a potential longer-term role.
Updated opening target and earlier filing
The airport targets passenger opening as early as 2028. An earlier state filing described 38,224 SF, approximately $60 million in construction and a July 2026–October 2027 construction window. The latest announcement describes approximately 37,000 SF and does not restate the cost.
The September 29 ceremony is the confirmed groundbreaking milestone. The earlier filed dates remain a record of the submitted schedule rather than proof of actual construction progress. Passenger opening also requires operational readiness beyond building completion.
Delivery Team and Trade Interfaces
Electrical distribution, building services, communications, passenger systems and apron interfaces are relevant areas for following package-level developments. The reviewed airport documents do not provide a complete subcontractor roster.
Confirmed trade appointments and commissioning milestones will add useful detail as Hensel Phelps and the design team advance the facility toward passenger operations.
Maintenance Ramp Expansion
A companion Maintenance Ramp Expansion supports airport operations during the wider construction program. RS&H is planning that project and Austin Bridge & Road is constructing it, with completion targeted for 2027.
Those appointments apply to the maintenance ramp. Hensel Phelps and Stantec/Fentress remain the named prime contractor and design lead for Concourse M.
Passenger connections and amenities
Shuttles will run from Gate 13 in the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Concourse M supports operations during construction of the 26-gate Concourse B and Tunnel and remodeling of Concourse A.
Amenities include family and full-size restrooms, a nursing room, WiFi, pet relief and seating. Star Concessions will provide a coffee market, grab-and-go offerings and 24-hour vending under a lease authorized March 26, 2026.
Airport funding and ramp capacity
The companion ramp adds six aircraft parking positions and capacity for up to 18 diverted aircraft. Its FAA support exceeds $9 million through the AIG and AIP programs.
Both projects use airport revenues, reserves, federal grants and future airport revenue bonds, without local taxpayer funding. The ramp’s grant amount is separate from Concourse M’s earlier filed construction estimate.