Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) and Milwaukee County have broken ground on a $95.2 million redevelopment of Concourse E, a project that will replace the long-shuttered facility with a modern two-gate concourse connected directly to the airport’s main terminal. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025 and wrap up in 2027.
Concourse E originally opened in 1969 but was removed from regular service in 2017 following years of underutilization. International arrivals to Milwaukee have since been processed in the separate International Arrivals Building (IAB), outside the main terminal — a setup that officials acknowledge has long been less than optimal.
A New Gateway for International Arrivals
The new concourse will directly replace the IAB. County and airport authorities indicate that the design will allow airlines to process international and domestic operations at the same gates, removing the current need to tow aircraft between the main terminal and the IAB. The concourse will also nearly triple the hourly number of international passengers that can be processed — from about 140 at the IAB to about 400 in the new building — thanks in part to the addition of two new passenger boarding bridges.
Funding and Economic Impact
Milwaukee County states that the project will be paid for exclusively by airport revenue and bonding, supplemented by $13.5 million in federal funding. The airport does not use property tax dollars to operate or fund itself. County and airport officials also state that the redevelopment will support 200 construction jobs during the build-out phase.
Contracting and Schedule
The county is delivering the project through multiple bid packages, covering demolition, construction of the new concourse, fueling systems, and jet bridges. Procurement documents identify J.H. Findorff & Son as the main construction contractor. The airport schedule anticipates site work to begin in late 2025 with completion in 2027.
Looking Ahead
When finished, the redeveloped Concourse E will restore a great deal of Milwaukee Mitchell’s terminal capacity, modernize the international arrivals experience, and make things more efficient for both passengers and airlines. Airport officials say the project is a major step forward in positioning MKE as a more competitive gateway for the region’s future air service needs.
With the Concourse E Redevelopment, MKE joins a growing list of major U.S. airports undertaking massive upgrades, including the $3.4 billion New Terminal 1 expansion at San Diego International Airport, which has begun construction on Phase 1B.
MKE Concourse E Redevelopment: Project Factsheet
Project Timeline
Construction Start: Late 2025
Completion: 2027
Original Opening: 1969
Closure: 2017
Key Project Components
Infrastructure Improvements
Complete replacement of shuttered Concourse E facility
Two new passenger gates with modern boarding bridges
Direct connection to main terminal building
New fueling systems installation
Enhanced processing capabilities for international arrivals
Operational Enhancements
Passenger Processing Capacity: Nearly triple increase from 140 to 400 passengers per hour
Gate Flexibility: Dual capability for international and domestic operations at same gates
Aircraft Operations: Eliminates need to tow aircraft between facilities
International Arrivals: Direct replacement of separate International Arrivals Building (IAB)
Funding
Total Investment
$95.2 Million comprehensive redevelopment
Funding Sources
Airport revenue and bonding
$13.5 million in federal support
Zero property tax dollars utilized
Economic Impact
More than 200 construction jobs during build-out phase
Enhanced regional competitiveness for air service
Project Delivery
Contracting Approach
Multiple bid packages covering:
Demolition work
New concourse construction
Fueling systems installation
Jet bridge installation
Lead Contractor
J.H. Findorff & Son – Primary construction contractor
