Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Project Overview: Project Updates

Fall 2008

Airport Authority, tenants and government agencies hold training sessions for employees and begin moving in to the terminal.
Contractors complete final work on the terminal and begin staging equipment for work on phase two.
Phase one of Terminal 2 opens for business on October 26.

Major work on the building itself has been completed. Tenants are working to build out their spaces and contractors are continuing to install computers, technology elements, seating and other finishing elements.
Both major art pieces are in place. “Wingspun” is an 830-foot glass mural over the concourse along the International Arrivals Corridor. “Gate of Earth” is a metal tree sculpture in the baggage claim and ticketing levels featuring the words of Asheville native Thomas Wolfe.
Airport Authority, airline and other tenant employees have been testing and training on the building's major systems in preparation for opening.

The inline baggage system installation is complete and testing is well underway.
The building has been completely enclosed and work is progressing to compleete the exterior of the building, including the passenger curb areas.
Interior elements that will be visible when the terminal opens, such as ceiling grids, wall paneling, signage posts, lighting columns, escalators, moving walkways, flooring and restrooms are being installed.

Additional stores and restaurants for Terminal 2 are announced. They include McDonald’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Jason’s Deli. Stores include University Kids, PGA Tour Shop and Anders Soap.
The Federal Inspection Services facility takes shape. When it opens in late summer 2008, it will be large enough to process 400 passengers per hour.
The enclosure of the international processing area is completed.

Eighteen of the restaurants and shops to be featured in Terminal 2 are named. They include local favorites 42nd St. Oyster Bar, Carolina Ale House, A Southern Season and 2nd Ed. Booksellers.
Installation of the glass curtain wall begins. When completed, the terminal will feature 185,000 square feet of glass.
The commercial curb for Terminal 2 is completed and put into operation for Terminal C passengers.

The international corridor that leads arriving passengers to the Federal Inspection Services area begins to take shape.
The frames for the restaurants and shops are constructed.
Installation of the moving walkways begins.

Structural steel erection for Phase 1 is complete. Roof construction and electrical and mechanical systems construction is underway. Construction of the glass and metal “skin” will begin this summer.
A viewing window has been installed at the upper level of Terminal C.
The first phase of new Terminal C is scheduled to be placed in service in late Summer 2008.

In December, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority votes to expand the scope of the Terminal C redevelopment project, the largest in the airport’s history. The vote gives approval for the demolition and replacement of the Terminal C south concourse.
Construction crews start erecting the structural steel for what will become the security checkpoint and north concourse of the new terminal. Architectural elements of the new building begins to take shape.
In addition to the structural steel, glulam trusses are also being installed. Manufactured by Structurlam of Penticton B.C., glulam is glued laminated timber. The glulam trusses are one of the key architectural elements that will be used throughout the building to reflect the rolling hills of the piedmont region.

Much work continues behind the scenes. In September, the steel frame of the building arrives and will be erected throughout the fall and winter.
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority authorizes $2.1 million for initial design, architectural and engineering services for the Terminal C South Concourse replacement.
Work continues on the construction of a commercial curb at Terminal C.

On March 31, RDU officially kicks off the construction of Terminal C with a groundbreaking ceremony.
The terminal foundation project nears completion, paving the way for the construction phase of the project.
Archer Western Contractors of Atlanta is given the notice to proceed with the construction phase of the project.

The general contractor contract for the redevelopment of Terminal C is awarded to Atlanta-based Archer Western Contractors, Inc. The award is for $257.6 million.
The Airport Authority identifies approximately $11.4 million in changes to the design in order to reduce the initial bid cost of $269 million. The cost reductions do not impact passengers.
The Authority states its intent to redevelop and expand Terminal C south concourse if the cost of the project is feasible. RDU will notify the general contractor by June 2007 of the plan to move forward with the south concourse redevelopment.

Work officially begins on the Terminal C redevelopment project.
Crews begin demolishing more than 180,000 square feet of the Terminal C north concourse to make way for construction of the new terminal.
More than 60 percent of building materials were recycled during the demolition process.