RDU Airport, NC – Officials from the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority gathered today with construction workers, terminal architect Curt Fentress and Archer Western Contractors to mark the topping out of Terminal 2. At approximately noon today, a large crane hoisted the highest piece of structural steel into place atop what will be the terminal’s central atrium.

The moment was a major milestone in the construction of Terminal 2, which began in 2005. Nearly 10 months after the first phase of the $570 million terminal opened, the steel skeleton of the building’s south concourse is nearly complete.

Ten days after the first phase of Terminal 2 opened on October 26, 2008, work began to demolish what remained of Terminal C. Since then, the site has been prepared, foundations laid and installation of the structural steel begun.

The structural steel for the concourse is nearly complete. The focus now turns to the ticketing, baggage claim and office areas.

The beam hoisted into place is nearly 40 feet off the ground and is located in what will be the central atrium. When the terminal opens in winter 2011, the central atrium will be home to Triplet, a work of art that features wood masts tipped with dichroic glass and LED lighting. The piece will be suspended from stainless steel cables.

The topping out follows the installation of what will become the canopy and mast that extend beyond the building over the terminal curb. The canopy and mast are two of the terminal’s architectural signatures. The mast extends 90 feet in the air and weighs 150,000 tons.

Phase two of the terminal will feature 17 gates, 15 restaurants and shops, one ticketing island and two baggage claim carousels. Today, Terminal 2 features 19 gates, 25 shops and restaurants, two ticketing islands, three baggage claim carousels and the processing area for international passengers.

Upon completion, US Airways and Continental Airlines will move from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2.

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