Nashville, TENN. (March 16, 2026) – The Messer Sundt Joint Venture team has started work on the new CONRAC program that is part of New Horizon, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority’s $3 billion growth and expansion plan at Nashville International Airport® (BNA®). A progressive design-build, the CONRAC program consists of a bigger and better rental car complex, additional parking garage, and a portion of the new expanded airport roadway system. Altogether, the work conducted by Messer Sundt is estimated to cost $900 million and will be delivered in phases in the coming years. It is scheduled to be complete in 2029.
“This project is a transformative investment in the future of Nashville International Airport and the region it serves,” said Sundt Project Director Ryan Holloway. “Our team is proud to partner with Messer Construction Co. and MNAA to deliver a facility focused on the traveler experience while improving operational efficiency and supporting the airport’s continued growth.”
As part of New Horizon, the CONRAC program will serve as a primary customer-facing gateway for millions of travelers each year.
“We’re excited to partner with Sundt and MNAA to lead the construction of BNA’s new consolidated rental car facility, parking garage expansion and the final phase of the terminal area roadway improvements,” said Messer Operations Vice President Jeff Banta. “Our talented design-build team is proud to be part of improving the traveler experience for the growing Nashville region.”
The scope of work includes construction of a six-level facility consisting of a new parking garage providing 3,000 parking spaces with easy access to the terminal and a new adjoining 4,700-vehicle consolidated rental car facility, along with a Customer Service Building to support consolidated rental car operations. The project also features quick turnaround areas equipped with fueling and car wash capabilities, bridges and roadways connecting Terminal Drive to the new facility, and infrastructure to support on-airport shuttle operations. The expanded Terminal Drive “loop road” will increase capacity for all roadway traffic, including improved connections to the surrounding road network.
As one of the nation’s fastest-growing airports, BNA continues to expand capacity and improve mobility to meet rising demand. Projects that are part of New Horizon will play a critical role in advancing these goals while supporting environmental performance and maintaining aggressive delivery schedules.
About Messer Construction Co.
Messer Construction Co. is a construction manager and general contractor that provides leadership for complex construction projects in the Aviation, Federal/Military, Food and Beverage, Health Care, Higher Education, Manufacturing, and Science and Technology market segments. An employee-owned company, Messer’s transformational investment in its people, communities and innovative building solutions has enhanced the landscape of the 12 regions throughout the Midwest and Southeast in which its employees live and work. A local builder with national resources and expertise, the company has delivered value for more than 90 years through quality construction and client experiences, taking care to both exceed customer expectations and build long-term relationships.
About Sundt
Sundt Construction, Inc. (www.sundt.com) is one of the country’s largest and most respected general contractors. The 136-year-old firm specializes in transportation, water and wastewater, advanced facilities, heavy industrial and mining, building, concrete and renewable power work and is owned entirely by its 4,500 employees. Sundt is distinguished by its diverse capabilities and experience, unique employee-ownership culture and depth of self-perform expertise in multiple trades. Much of Sundt’s workforce is comprised of skilled craft professionals who, together with the company’s administrative employees, enable Sundt to fulfill its mission to be the most skilled builder in America. Sundt has 13 offices throughout California, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, Washington, Utah and Florida and is currently ranked the country’s 46th largest construction company by ENR, the industry’s principal trade magazine.