“Connect Before You Jet” Keeps Travelers Informed

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) is relaunching its Refresh campus improvement program beginning April 1 to meet the fast-growing region’s demands for a convenient, world-class airport experience. Several construction and expansion projects associated with Refresh – first launched last summer – paused for the winter and are ready to resume. The airport will also add new construction projects to the program beginning next month.

“The airport has $1.2 billion in capital infrastructure it must maintain to keep air traffic flowing and provide travelers a safe, world-class experience,” Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Landguth said. “We are also initiating projects identified in Vision 2040 to meet the Triangle’s growing aviation demand. With new, expansion and restoration construction projects occurring throughout campus, we encourage travelers to add time to navigate the airport and parking lots prior to their flight departure time.”

Roadway improvements: Repaving of RDU’s main roadway, John Brantley Boulevard, will resume in mid-April, resulting in some lane closures and detours. Beginning April 20 and occurring through the fall, changes to traditional and electronic directional signage on airport roadways will also take place, improving travelers’ ease of navigation around campus.

ParkRDU Economy 3: Approximately 1,300 of the 3,824 parking spaces in ParkRDU Economy 3 will be closed for repaving beginning April 1. Vehicle owners currently parked in the designated construction area are advised to arrange for their vehicles to be moved by April 1 to avoid third-party relocation. To see a full list of RDU’s alternate parking accommodations, visit http://www.rdu.com/parking.

Runway preservation: RDU will commence rehabilitation of its primary runway, 5L-23R, beginning April 1. Airport contractors will begin work to preserve the runway, which is reaching the end of its useful life. The rehabilitation process requires the runway to close 18 hours each day for replacement of large slabs of deteriorating concrete. The 18-hour timeline is scheduled to primarily take place overnight to avoid flight schedule disruptions. Runway preservation will occur in three-month sprints, pausing in June and resuming in September.

“We look forward to extending the useful life of our current 5L-23R runway, but we must continue to look toward its eventual replacement,” Landguth continued. “Runway preservation alone is unsustainable long-term and cannot support long-haul flights to new international destinations. It is critical that we gain community, state and federal support for runway funding today.”

During this busy time on campus, RDU encourages travelers to be mindful of construction areas and build in extra time before flight departure.

To stay up-to-date on the latest renovation and expansion projects across the RDU campus, find helpful tips on parking and more, travelers should “Connect Before You Jet” by checking the RDU Refresh page at www.rdu.com/refresh or following @RDUAirport on Twitter.

NOTE: An earlier version of this release incorrectly attributed the cost to eventually replace runway 5L-23R to this year’s work to rehabilitate the existing runway. It has been removed.