The expansion, part of the airport’s $1 billion MoreRNO capital program, is set to break ground in early 2026 and be completed in phases through 2029.
Rendering courtesy of McCarthy Building Cos.
McCarthy Building Cos. has secured a $650 million construction manager-at-risk contract to build the new Gen A and Gen B concourses at Nevada’s Reno–Tahoe International Airport, a major component of the facility’s $1 billion MoreRNO capital improvement program.
The Reno–Tahoe Airport Authority announced the award July 23, calling it the most significant infrastructure investment in the airport’s 96-year history. The concourses will replace the aging B and C terminals, which date to 1981.
Once completed, the new facilities will double the number of boarding bridges from 12 to 24 and accommodate up to 28 aircraft gates. Airport officials said the upgrades are designed to meet forecast passenger demand through 2065.
Daren Griffin, president and CEO of the airport authority, said in a statement that the project “is about serving the people of our community by delivering an airport experience that is modern, efficient and welcoming.”
Reno–Tahoe International handled a record 4.8 million passengers in 2024, a 6% increase over the previous year, according to the airport authority. The Federal Aviation Administration projects the airport could reach nearly 6 million annual passengers by 2035.
RELATED
A Long-Awaited Upgrade for Reno, Nevada’s Pyramid Highway
Construction is slated to commence in the first quarter of 2026, with phased openings beginning in mid-2028, and full completion anticipated in 2029. Demolition of the current concourses will start once the new terminals are operational, as detailed in the project planning documents. The phased approach ensures operations remain uninterrupted during construction.
McCarthy, which previously delivered the airport’s ticketing hall modernization, will provide both preconstruction and construction management services. Jacobs is serving as program manager, with PGAL as design architect.
According to reports from the authority’s Planning and Construction Committee, the new concourses will include expanded seating areas, increased natural lighting, upgraded Transportation Security Administration screening lanes, and additional dining and retail amenities.
The project also includes a centralized utility plant designed to support future terminal expansion and reduce long-term energy consumption. The facilities are designed for a 40-year operational lifespan and achieve LEED Silver certification or higher.
Capital Plan and Cost Breakdown
The concourse project is backed in part by a 10-year airline use and lease agreement approved in 2022, which formed the financial basis for the airport’s multi-phase capital plan.
Additional funding was secured through a 2024 debt issuance by the airport authority, which raised approximately $316 million through a mix of alternative minimum tax and non-AMT bonds. Proceeds are allocated for capitalized interest, reserves and construction-related expenses.
Public documents show that the airport authority has authorized multiple guaranteed maximum price packages under McCarthy’s contract. These include $188,464 for work related to the centralized utility plant, $12.6 million for long-lead mechanical and electrical equipment, and more than $17.5 million in change orders tied to remote aircraft parking and site preparation.
The authority also approved a $12.9 million contract amendment with PGAL to complete 100% design drawings for the Gen B concourse. Design and engineering expenditures now total more than $46 million, according to committee meeting minutes.
Mark Crosby, vice president of aviation at McCarthy, said in a statement that the concourses “represent a generational investment in regional connectivity,” and added that the company is “proud to play a key role in bringing this bold vision to life.”
The concourse redevelopment is one of several projects included in the MoreRNO program. Other elements include a consolidated security checkpoint, a ground transportation center and a new airport police headquarters.
Bryan Gottlieb is the online editor at Engineering News-Record (ENR).
A five-time Society of Professional Journalists “Excellence in Journalism” award–winner, Gottlieb brings more than a decade of experience in trade and community journalism. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree in journalism from UCLA.
Gottlieb launched his career at Adweek magazine in New York, managed a community newsroom in Santa Monica, Calif., and subsequently served as a staff writer for the San Diego Daily Transcript, covering banking, law and real estate. He then led the Detroit Metro Times as editor‑in‑chief before helping shape industry reporting as managing editor at Roofing Contractor.
email: gottliebb@enr.com | office: (248) 786-1591
