HOUSTON, TX — International flights have already begun departing from the new D West terminal at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The Austin-Gilbane Joint Venture has successfully delivered the Mickey Leland International Terminal, marking a significant milestone for the City of Houston.

“First, I would like to congratulate all the team members that have worked the long days, nights, and weekends to open the new D West Pier Terminal,” said Jim Springer, Gilbane Building Company Project Executive. “This successful project is a substantial addition to the ever-growing footprint in Texas and will serve millions of passengers in the coming years. Second, we also recognize the efforts of all our local trade contractors, consultants, vendors, and suppliers who made this happen. Many of these teams have worked with us for over 40 years in our communities.”

Over the last seven years, Gilbane Building Company and Austin Commercial have worked to significantly expand and refurbish one of the busiest airports in the United States. The end goal was to maintain IAH’s momentum as an international hub. The project also included substantial upgrades to an existing and fully active terminal, a new sterile corridor for international arrivals, and the completion of the new D West Pier Terminal and associated concourse tie-ins.

The project was part of the Houston Airport System’s (HAS) International Terminal Redevelopment Program, the most extensive capital improvement program undertaken in the history of HAS. The new D West Pier Terminal and concourse have modern finishes, expansive ceilings, a unique exterior curtainwall/glass wall feature, expanded concessions, and other support facilities. The project also saw the refurbishment of the existing Terminal D departure areas, including mechanical, electrical, and life safety systems, and a new interior aesthetic upgrade to the associated gates and seating areas for passengers.

Preconstruction on the project began as a joint effort in 2017 before starting construction in 2020 with the demolition of the C North concourse, initially built in 1980.