The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), has released a draft of its “2040 Long-Term Plan,” which calls for adding 12 gates to the airport, among other upgrades.

The plan is now subject to a public comment period extending through Aug. 21. The draft plan does not include any new runways or runway extensions. 

It does include “12 net new gates between Terminals 1 and 2 to accommodate forecasted growth,” MAC says in a statement. MSP currently has 118 gates between the two terminals. 

The plan also “outlines opportunities to relieve curbside congestion, and recommends reconstructing parking facilities that are reaching the end of their useful life,” MAC adds. “The plan also includes enhancements to airfield taxiways.”

MAC notes the draft “outlines potential airport projects,” but does not authorize construction, which can only occur after the plan goes through an environmental review process. Then, budget votes will be required “to formally approve specific projects identified in the plan,” MAC says.

“MSP’s long-term plan is an important tool to help us prepare for future growth in passengers and air service demand,” MAC CEO Brian Ryks says.