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Denver Airport to Convert Baggage Tunnels Into Pedestrian Walkways

Airport officials say the new tunnels will give travelers a walking alternative to the automated train to strengthen system reliability under DEN's Vision 100.

Overview

  • The plan, announced Tuesday, May 26, directs Denver International Airport to repurpose portions of its underground baggage tunnels to create walkways linking Concourse A to B and Concourse B to C.
  • The airport says designs are being finalized and construction is expected to begin in 2027 after the Jeppesen Terminal Great Hall renovation is complete.
  • Officials presented the project as a redundancy to the automated people-mover after repeated train incidents, including a March power outage that prompted a ground stop and passenger delays.
  • DEN is simultaneously investing in the train system, replacing original cars as part of a roughly $78.85 million modernization program while pursuing its Vision 100 expansion that added 39 gates and aims to serve up to 100 million annual passengers.
  • The tunnels will require engineering, safety and accessibility upgrades before opening and are intended to give travelers a reliable walking option during future train outages; an independent blog has claimed 131 train breakdowns in the past year but that figure has limited sourcing.