A massive construction project is reshaping the passenger experience at John Glenn Columbus International Airport as crews continue work on a new terminal designed to accommodate Central Ohio's growing demand for air travel.
The $2 billion CMH Next program is replacing the airport's existing terminal, which opened in 1958. According to the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, the project is scheduled for completion in January 2029.
Construction has progressed significantly during 2026, with the terminal structure, elevated roadways and new parking facilities taking shape across the airport property.
As of early September, both the arrivals and departures roadways in front of the new terminal had been completed. According to the airport, the lower arrivals roadway will be the first portion of the new terminal project to enter service, while the elevated departures roadway is being prepared for future use. The expanded curb space will nearly double the amount available today.
The terminal itself is being built on a large footprint adjacent to the existing airport facilities. Construction includes extensive structural steel, concrete work, elevated roadway construction and installation of the building envelope.
The project reached an early milestone in July 2025 when the first piece of structural steel was installed for the elevated roadway. At the time, the airport said the installation marked the first steel rising above ground level on the $2 billion project.
Today, much more of the building is visible. Recent airport photographs show crews working around a large structural steel frame, with cranes, aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment and other construction machinery operating throughout the site.
Work also has moved into portions of the building enclosure. According to the airport's Sept. 2 update, crews are installing the terminal's sweeping glass walls, which will provide views of the airfield and Columbus skyline.
One of the project's most distinctive architectural features will be a large skylight above Central Market, the planned center of the terminal. The skylight will cover an area larger than two basketball courts. Dynamic glass is designed to reduce glare and solar heat gain while allowing natural light into the building.
Larger Terminal, More Gates
The new terminal will encompass approximately 1 million sq. ft. and is designed to accommodate up to 13 million annual passengers, compared with the existing terminal's capacity of approximately 10 million passengers.
According to CMH Next, the facility will have 36 gates, seven more than the airport currently operates. Two gates will be capable of handling international flights and will have on-site customs facilities.
The project is being constructed by Hensel Phelps, which was selected as construction manager at risk, with Elford as part of the construction management team. Gensler is the project's lead architect, working with Columbus-based Moody Nolan.
Parking, Transportation
The terminal construction is being accompanied by major improvements to the airport's ground transportation infrastructure.
A new parking garage is being constructed across from the terminal. The approximately 1.5-million-sq.-ft. facility will provide more than 5,000 parking spaces and will be connected to the terminal by a pedestrian bridge. The rental car facility also will connect to the terminal through the pedestrian bridge.
The airport also is modifying existing roadways while construction continues. In September, a new permanent eastbound International Gateway roadway opened as work progressed, with additional changes being made around the terminal and parking garage.
The airport's 2026 capital program lists the new midfield terminal project with a total cost of approximately $2 billion and a planned completion date of January 2029.
The airport has been implementing roadway shifts, temporary parking changes and other measures as portions of the new facilities come online.
When complete, CMH Next will replace the more than six-decade-old terminal with a larger facility intended to provide additional capacity while reorganizing passenger processing, ground transportation and gate access.
According to the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, the existing terminal ultimately will be demolished after the new facility opens.
