Major traffic improvements coming to IAH ahead of the holiday travel season

Current situation

Construction is nearing completion on IAH’s new Mickey Leland International Terminal, which began in 2019 and has resulted in road closures and limited curb capacity throughout the airport, affecting both passenger pickup and drop off.

According to the release, current traffic conditions at IAH involve a congested three-lane entry along North Terminal Road that narrows to a single lane at critical points, causing delays and bottlenecks for passengers arriving at Terminals C, D and E.

What’s being done

Over the next several months, IAH officials have outlined plans to reopen closed roadways and add curb capacity throughout the airport, in accordance with the following timeline:

• Before Thanksgiving: North Terminal Road will be restored to its original four-lane configuration, eliminating the current merge point at the entrance to Terminal D and reducing congestion entering the airport.
• Before Christmas: The temporary international arrivals curb at Terminal E will be closed, and six of the eight lanes of the new International Central Processor (ICP) Arrivals level will be opened removing the bottleneck at the airport’s exit. The four-lane exit will also be restored, improving traffic flow without relying on active law enforcement traffic management.
• Mid-January: United Airlines will permanently shift its Terminal E operations to the new ICP, which will coincide with the complete opening of the ICP Arrivals and Departures West Curb. The new ICP will have eight lanes on the lower level and 11 lanes on the upper level, significantly increasing capacity and reducing traffic congestion.
• Late summer 2025: The existing Terminal D lobby will be closed and the new ICP will be fully open. Terminal D’s curbside drop off will be permanently closed, and dedicated entrance lanes will open along North Terminal Road.

Officials noted the opening of the ICP for United Terminal E checkins will also decongest the ticket lobby of Terminal C, as the ICP will offer a new Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.

What they’re saying

• “From day one, I challenged Houston Airports to focus on making Bush Airport more user-friendly for all Houstonians and visitors. The number one complaint I heard was about the parking and traffic conditions,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said in a statement. “These improvements will reduce congestion and improve the passenger experience. Houston is a world-class city. When we invest in infrastructure, we ensure that our airport remains a gateway that reflects our city’s innovation, growth and excellence.”
• “Houstonians and airport staff have been dealing with construction impacts at Bush for the last few years, and [we’re] excited to announce that the construction is nearing completion just in time for the holiday travel season,” said Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System. “These planned improvements are a game-changer for our passengers. By expanding road capacity and reducing bottlenecks, we’re not only cutting down on travel time, but also enhancing the overall experience for everyone traveling through Bush Airport.”

Did you know?

The Mickey Leland International Terminal is comprised of the ICP for ticketing and baggage claim, a 17-lane TSA checkpoint, the international gates and the U.S. Customs space, IAH officials said. As a part of that facility, airport officials celebrated the opening of IAH’s new Terminal D-West Pier on Oct. 22.

As previously reported by Community Impact, the project is the second of three phases to be completed in the Houston Airport System’s roughly $1.46 billion Terminal Redevelopment Program.