The replacement of primary Runway 5L/23R is the signature capital project in the Vision 2040 master plan. The existing 10,000-foot runway was built in the 1980s and needs to be replaced after four decades of use. The replacement runway will be built approximately 537 feet west of the current location to allow the current runway to remain in operation during construction.

The Airport Authority and the FAA conducted an Environmental Assessment that defined the purpose and need for a new runway, analyzed the potential impacts of the project and provided opportunities for public participation, review and comment. The FAA issued a Finding of No Significant Impact and Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) in August 2023 that concluded the federal environmental review process and authorized the Authority to begin final permitting and construction on a new 10,639-foot runway. Construction is expected to be completed in 2029.

A multi-year effort to preserve Runway 5L/23R began in 2019. Removal and replacement of deteriorated concrete slabs is required so aircraft can continue to use the runway. The preservation project will continue until the new runway is open.

The Airport Authority opened a new Remain Overnight (RON) parking area for commercial aircraft in April 2023. The West RON provides additional parking capacity for overnight aircraft that typically depart before 8:00 a.m.

Construction on the rehabilitation of Taxiway B concluded in November 2022.

Construction began in January 2023 and will conclude in 2024.

Reconstruction of the North Cargo Taxi-Lane began in February 2023 and is expected to be completed in November 2024. The overall apron replacement program will be undertaken in phases over multiple years.

The Terminal 1 gate activation project completed in 2019 included construction of a bag makeup building, offices, and TSA bag processing space, installation of jet bridges, new ticket counters and kiosks and rehabilitation of hold rooms. Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Breeze Airways, Avelo Airlines and Sun Country Airlines now operate out of Terminal 1.

In 2022, RDU opened two new security checkpoint lanes in Terminal 2 to accommodate the increasing number of passengers flying through the airport. The Terminal 2 checkpoint now has a total of 14 lanes to keep pace with passenger traffic. A previous two-lane expansion was completed in 2019.

Vision 2040 anticipated an increase in international air travel at RDU that would require an expansion of the airport’s Federal Inspection Station (FIS), or U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. The FIS facility will be expanded under the airport’s master plan to accommodate the increasing number of travelers flying into RDU from foreign destinations.

Planning for an expansion of Terminal 2 is underway to ensure RDU has the capacity to meet current and future passenger demand. An expansion could include the security screening checkpoint area, expanding the Federal Inspection Services facility and related Customs and Border Protection areas; modifying or expanding the ticketing hall, along with ticket counters, kiosks, queue and circulation areas; upgrades to the checked baggage screening system, lobby areas, pre-security concessions and baggage claim; and curbside roadway improvements.

Construction began in 2023 on the expansion of Park Economy 3. The 3,820-space lot on National Guard Drive provides shuttle bus service to Terminals 1 and 2. The project will expand the existing lot to create approximately 8,700 additional spaces and add a Customer Amenity Building.

The Airport Authority completed a major rehabilitation project on International Drive in 2022. The project involved milling, replacing aged asphalt, and full-depth reconstruction from the intersection of John Brantley Blvd. to Commerce Drive.