WAYNE

Restroom renovations ongoing at DTW, first set opened in June

Portrait of Jenna Prestininzi Jenna Prestininzi
Detroit Free Press

Travelers, look out for new and improved restrooms at Detroit Metropolitan Airport this summer.

A multi-year initiative is bringing upgrades to all passenger-facing restrooms at the airport's Edward H. McNamara Terminal, the Wayne County Airport Authority announced Tuesday. The first set of 67 upgraded restrooms opened in late June, and restrooms will be closed on a rolling basis to avoid disruptions to passengers throughout the project.

“Our facilities at DTW are getting even better,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. “This project, thanks to the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grants, will improve our customer experience as we strive to exceed the high standards that our guests have come to expect at DTW.”

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The restroom remodels include stripping the rooms down and rebuilding them with new features, including:

  • Terrazzo tile flooring.
  • Lighting technology indicating whether a stall is occupied or empty.
  • Step stools for sinks.
  • Oversized sinks.
  • Individual lighted mirrors.
  • Convenience shelving in stalls and urinals.
  • Light-up entry signage.
An image of a newly renovated restroom at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, as the airport upgrades restrooms at its Edward H. McNamara Terminal in summer 2024.

Funding for the $38-million project comes from a $28-million federal grant through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Terminal Program, with the Wayne County Airport Authority covering the remaining cost.

The restroom renovations are part of $51.9 million in upgrades to the Detroit Metro Airport and Willow Run Airport, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's Airport Terminal Program and Airport Infrastructure Grant.

Additional work includes:

  • Completed rehabilitation of 18 baggage carousels at Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara Terminal.
  • Ongoing replacement of 13 jet bridges at Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara Terminal, with six in Phase A complete and seven in Phase B ongoing.
  • Ongoing relocation of FAA and National Weather Service Equipment at Willow Run Airport.

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The Wayne County Airport Authority also applied for a $61.8 million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grant to fund ongoing Access Road work on Dingell Drive and expects the funds soon.

The airport restroom upgrades are set to be complete in 2027.