HOUSTON, TX — Recently, over 350 people gathered to celebrate the topping out of the new D West Pier at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Staff from Houston Airports, Fentress Architects and consultants, Austin-Gilbane Joint-Venture, and the subcontractors participated in the beam ceremony and an appreciation lunch. When the project is complete, the international carrier gate capacity will increase to 18 as part of the MLIT Program.

"The topping out event was a big success for not only the Austin-Gilbane joint venture team but for the Houston aviation community as a whole," said Russ Gyvel, Senior Project Manager. "We are delighted to reach this significant milestone in the project and are looking ahead to the finish line in what promises to be a grand addition to 'H-Town's' travel hub."

As part of an ongoing project, Gilbane Building Company and their joint venture partner, Austin Commercial, are giving one of the busiest airports in the United States a significant expansion and refurbishment to maintain its momentum as an international hub.

"Our joint venture leverages the expertise of many individuals from both our companies which is the foundation for executing this complex project, all while coordinating numerous daily operational, security, and safety protocols involved in working within an active airport," said James Springer, Execution Advisor and Project Executive.

The project is a part of the Houston Airport System's (HAS) International Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP), the most extensive capital improvement program undertaken in the history of HAS. The project scope includes a new pier to accommodate six wide-body international airplanes and a new sterile corridor to funnel passengers to the Federal Inspection Services Facility, part of the ITRP undertaking.

This new D West Pier and concourse will include modern finishes, expansive ceilings, an exterior curtainwall/glass wall feature, expanded concessions, and other support facilities. The project also includes refurbishing the existing Terminal D departures areas, including mechanical, electrical, and life safety systems, and a new interior aesthetic upgrade to the associated gates and seating areas for passengers. The project commenced in 2020 with the demolition of the C North concourse (originally built in 1980) and will be substantially complete at the end of 2023.