Deep beneath the tarmac where Denver International Airport's automated trains currently shuttle passengers between concourses, engineers are mapping out a massive new home for the fleet. The Denver City Council has approved a five-year, $6.79 million contract with HDR Engineering to design the Automated Guideway Transit System (AGTS) Maintenance Facility Expansion.
This isn't just a paperwork exercise; it is the necessary design phase for a facility that will keep the airport's expanding rail network running as the city prepares for record-breaking passenger numbers. The contract, filed on February 13, 2026, and adopted shortly after, targets the ZIP code 80262 within the airport's operational footprint.
The new maintenance center is a direct response to the strain placed on current infrastructure by a surge in travelers. Passenger traffic hit 82.4 million in 2025, driving a broader $13 billion investment plan across the airport. This specific project supports the rollout of a seventh runway by 2035 and follows a recent $700 million upgrade to Concourse C that added 11 gates and 400,000 square feet of space.
Without a dedicated, expanded maintenance hub, the automated guideway system risks becoming a bottleneck as the airport adds more gates and flights. The approved design phase will determine the footprint and engineering requirements needed to service the growing fleet of trains that connect the terminal to the new concourses.
Residents and travelers interested in the specifics of the design timeline can review the full resolution details via the city's official portal here. The Council's Committee on Infrastructure and Public Works approved the filing on February 25, 2026, clearing the path for the long-term construction phase.