DCA cutting the ribbon on its new TSA security halls this AM.
Change will put most of the airport, including the grand National Hall behind security.
Has space for 20 to 28 security lanes and will “create a seamless, free-flowing environment between Terminal B/C.”
Opens in Nov.
A new concourse project that opened earlier this year still gets fanfare for defeating the Main Boss of DCA.
Some pics of some of the new security lanes that are getting installed. Project doesn’t open for a few more weeks. Both buildings on the North and South end of the terminals are the same.
It’s kinda hard to get a feel of where we are in relation to the old airport footprint (it’s sandwiched between parking garages/Metro and Departures/Arrivals lanes + terminal).
You can see buses driving above us.
The new security checkpoints at DCA will open Nov. 9 ahead of a busy holiday season.
MWAA CEO Jack Potter said the two new 50,000-sq-ft facilities were needed as concourses B/C were 60% over designed capacity.
"Things were tight."
Unfortunately, this beautiful view of National Hall will no longer be open to the public. Will be behind security and only for ticketed passengers.
Spent many hours writing stories in this space after events at DCA.
Didn’t realize how many people had filtered in to the event today.
Speakers have included:
Paul Malandrino, DCA Manager
Jack Potter, MWAA CEO
William Sudow, MWAA Board Chair
VA Gov. Ralph Northam
D.C.Mayor Muriel Bowser
Sen. Mark Warner
Rep. Don Beyer
Rep. Eleanor Holmes
Rep. Gerry Connolly
FAA Administrator Steve Dickson
TSA Administrator David Pekoske
Steve Johnson, American Airlines Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs
TSA Administrator David Pekoske says the new halls add about 40% more screening lanes that give "ample space for travelers."
"When we built security into airports, the areas that were left for passengers to recompose (after security) were very short.This provides much more room."
I should've had a tally going for the number of jokes/digs at Gate 35X from officials.
I would guess we're pushing at least 8 at this point.
Public officials are now touring new concourse that opened earlier w this year. Wolfgang Puck restaurant is open but still no Timber Pizza
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Mayor Bowser holding a presser with DDOT in Deanwood later this morning to announce the “and implementation of a new streamlined
process to accelerate roadway safety improvements projects.”
Several ANC commissioners and residents say process for requested changes takes too long
We talked a little bit about that in a segment last week.
This idea, that fare value is stored on cards, always seemed super weird and odd to me. But the backend is 30+ years old so that's why it makes no sense.
Also why if you want to move your card to iPhone/Android your physical card no longer works.
Now on to questions.
Finance Chair Matt Letourneau: Are there any scenarios that raised ridership AND revenue?
WMATA's Tom Webster: No. Primarily ideas to drive ridership.
Marching bands, truck horns and what I think was a planned helicopter flyover? And a beautiful rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Bowser says the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge is symbolic in bridging communities, but also providing accessibility between Ward 8 and Ward 6.