Construction activity continues to ramp up near Denver International Airport (DIA) as crews move forward with site work tied to the airport’s future consolidated rental car facility — a major infrastructure project aimed at improving traveler convenience and streamlining ground transportation operations.
Currently, crews are focusing on Jackson Gap Street, located just south of Peña Boulevard, where essential utility and roadwork is being performed to prepare the area for future development. The work zone has introduced short, intermittent closures lasting one minute every five minutes, scheduled from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, through the remainder of 2025.
To manage the flow of vehicles during construction, officials have installed a temporary traffic signal south of 74th Avenue, designed to maintain safety and regulate movement through the construction zone. The airport cautions that traffic disruptions are expected, especially for shuttle services operating between off-site parking facilities and airport terminals.
“The closures will primarily impact shuttles for off-site parking facilities located just south of the airport,” airport officials said, adding that drivers in the area should also anticipate brief delays during construction hours.
Officials also clarified that this phase of construction is distinct from the recently completed diverging diamond interchange project at Jackson Gap and Peña Boulevard — another key infrastructure enhancement designed to reduce congestion and improve access to DIA.
Once complete, the new rental car complex will bring multiple car rental operations together into one centralized location, simplifying vehicle pickup and drop-off for travelers while reducing shuttle traffic on surrounding roads. The facility is expected to include expanded customer service centers, structured parking, and enhanced transit connections to improve flow between terminals and rental providers.
Airport planners say the development is part of DIA’s long-term vision to modernize and expand ground transportation facilities as passenger volumes continue to surge. Denver International Airport, which serves more than 77 million passengers annually, has been one of the fastest-growing airports in the United States, prompting large-scale infrastructure projects across its campus.
The rental car facility project, still in early site preparation stages, is expected to move into major construction by late 2026. When finished, it will streamline the airport’s rental car operations, reduce traffic congestion, and support the city’s sustainability goals through energy-efficient design and improved logistics.
As work progresses through 2025, DIA officials urge drivers and shuttle operators to plan for minor delays and follow updated detour signage in the Jackson Gap Street area.
Originally reported by Brian Sherrod in CBS News.
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