North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is poised to go through an approximately $650 million phased construction program aimed at increasing passenger volume and supporting current and future aviation demand in the Research Triangle region.
Three North Carolina firms, Metcon Inc., Right Build International, and Varnedoe Construction are part of a joint venture (JV), led by the U.S. subsidiary of the international construction giant Balfour Beatty, to deliver the work included in the airport’s Vision 2040 Master Plan.
Providing construction manager-at risk services, the JV will deliver the expansion of the parking plaza, Park Economy 3, improvements to the intersection of two main roads leading into the airport, Aviation Parkway, and National Guard Drive, and the Terminal 2 expansion program over the course of multiple years.
The Park Economy 3 expansion includes increasing the existing parking area and delivering 8,000 additional parking spaces. A multi-level law enforcement and parking operations building will also be constructed with covered walkways, new bus shelters, and canopies. Construction activities for the Park Economy 3 expansion will commence later this year with a scheduled delivery in 2025.
The Aviation Parkway and National Guard Drive intersection will undergo capacity and safety improvements to accommodate increased volumes of traffic from the expansion of Park Economy 3 and future developments along National Guard Drive. The interchange will feature new roadway infrastructure connecting the newly expanded parking lot to Aviation Parkway and a new bridge overpass to allow RDU’s shuttle bus traffic to have an almost continuous, free-flow movement to and from the terminal area to Park Economy 3. The improvements are anticipated to start in 2025.
The Terminal 2 landside expansion program includes three sub-phases—expansion of Terminal 2, the demolition and reconstruction of parking garage one and two, and the extension of John Brantley Boulevard to meet long-term passenger demand.
The expansion of Terminal 2 includes expanding the terminal’s processor building and the expansion and modification of the landside, FIS (Federal Inspections Station) and CBP (Custom and Border Patrol) areas of the building. The demolition and reconstruction of the parking garages includes replacing the garage decks with new five- to seven-story decks, a pedestrian bridge, and tunnel connections to Terminal 2. Lastly, the John Brantley Boulevard extension involves realigning the main road loop between Terminals 1 and 2 to create space for a future consolidated rental car facility (CONRAC). The Terminal 2 Landside Expansion program is scheduled to start early 2025.
Contracting for the construction program will be phased through multiple amendments as design, preconstruction, and construction activities progress.
“Balfour Beatty is honored to continue our more than 10-year relationship with Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority,” says Trent Johnson, Balfour Beatty operations director in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Being selected to deliver this major construction program is a testament to our project team’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence to successfully achieve our client’s program goals. Balfour Beatty looks forward to working with Metcon, local minority-owned businesses, and our industry partners to construct these vital projects that will help to enhance the passenger experience and support current and future demand at RDU.”
