Austin-Bergstrom International Airport broke ground Tuesday, Sept. 29, on a new six-gate concourse designed to help the airport maintain operations during a multibillion-dollar expansion. The approximately 37,000-square-foot Concourse M will be built on the airport’s west side and operate separately from the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Its six gates—four with direct terminal connections and two walk-out gates—will serve narrow-body aircraft. Passengers will reach Concourse M by shuttle bus departing from Gate 13, currently the Barbara Jordan Terminal’s only ground-level gate. The new facility is expected to include Wi-Fi, seating, restrooms, a family restroom, a nursing room and a pet relief area. Airport CEO Ghizlane Badawi called the concourse a key part of the Journey With AUS expansion program, saying it will allow major construction to advance while the airport continues serving millions of passengers each year. Construction is expected to begin soon, and the airport is aiming to open the concourse as early as 2028. The project is intended to add capacity during construction; it is not a permanent extension of the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the airport investments are intended to support the region’s long-term economic strength as well as current travel needs.