Aviation Parkway Interchange Environmental Assessment

This website was developed to keep the public informed about the Focused Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Aviation Parkway/National Guard Interchange Improvements Project at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. This website is being maintained throughout the EA process to keep the public updated of meetings, project developments and opportunities for public involvement.

Current Events

The FAA and Airport Authority are currently reviewing the draft version of this Environmental Assessment (EA) in preparation for a final draft. Once completed, it will be made available on this webpage.

Public Participation 
The public participation process included two public workshops. Materials presented at both public workshops were posted on this website following the meetings. The first public workshop occurred on June 12 and shared information about the EA process and project scoping / kick-off. The second public workshop occurred on March 24, 2026 and shared the environmental analysis findings of the Draft EA. The public was provided notice for each public workshop and invited to provide comments during the open comment period for consideration.

Scoping and Public Workshop #1 
Scoping is an early and open process that solicits input from the public to determine the scope of issues to be addressed in the EA and to identify the significant environmental issues related to the Proposed Action. The scoping process is meant to focus the EA analysis on the most pertinent issues and impacts. 

  • May 13, 2025 — Notice of Public Scoping Meeting issued 
  • June 2, 2025 — Deadline for requests for disability accommodation/language services for the Public Scoping Meeting 
  • June 12, 2025 — Public Scoping Meeting 
  • June 27, 2025 — Final date to receive public comments on the scope of the project 

The following items were made available at Public Scoping Meeting: 

Draft EA 
RDU Roadway EA Draft 
Appendix A Alternatives 
Appendix B Air Quality 
Appendix C Biological Resources 
Appendix D Archeological Report 
Appendix E Water Resources 
Appendix F Public Involvement 

Draft EA and Public Workshop #2 
Representatives from RDUAA and the consultant team were available to discuss the analysis in the Draft EA. Informational stations with display boards were arranged around the room to allow staff to engage attendees on a personalized basis to address questions about the Project. 

  • February 20, 2026 — Notice of Availability of the Draft EA and notice of Public Workshop issued 
  • March 17, 2026 — Deadline for requests for disability accommodation/language services for the Public Workshop for the Draft EA 
  • March 24, 2026 — Public Workshop for the Draft EA 
  • March 31, 2026 — Final date to receive public comments on the Draft EA 

The following items were made available at the Public Workshop for the Draft EA: 

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Assessment (EA) Process 

NEPA is a federal statute that requires federal agencies to use a systematic, interdisciplinary approach for considering the potential environmental impacts of a Proposed Aviation Parkway/National Guard Interchange Improvements Project and factoring them into the decision-making process.

The EA is a concise document used to describe the anticipated environmental impacts of a Proposed Action and determine whether the action has the potential to significantly affect the human environment. Depending upon whether certain environmental thresholds of significance are exceeded, the EA may lead either to a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or the need to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The FAA is the lead federal agency ensuring compliance with NEPA for this Proposed Action; therefore, the EA is consistent with FAA Order 1050.1G, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures (including the 1050.1 Desk Reference Current Version).

As outlined in FAA Order 1050.1G, the EA considered impacts to the following resources: 

  • Aviation emissions and air quality 
  • Biological resources (including fish, wildlife, and plants) 
  • Coastal resources
  • Department of Transportation Act Section 303 (referred to as “Section 4(f)”) and Land and Water Conservation Fund (referred to as “Section 6(f)”)
  • Farmlands 
  • Hazardous materials, solid waste and pollution prevention 
  • Historical, architectural, archeological and cultural resources 
  • Land use 
  • Natural resources and energy supply 
  • Noise and noise-compatible land use 
  • Socioeconomics and children’s health and safety risks 
  • Visual effects (including light emissions) 
  • Water resources (including wetlands, floodplains, surface waters, groundwater and Wild and Scenic rivers) 

Proposed Action

The Proposed Aviation Parkway / National Guard Interchange Improvements Project referred to as the Proposed Action. The Proposed Action includes construction of a new south-bound roadway lane, ramp, and bridge over Aviation Parkway; construction of a new north-bound lane to connect with John Brantley Boulevard while bypassing the intersection at Aviation Parkway and National Guard Drive; construction of a new roundabout on National Guard Drive at entrance of Park Economy 3; grading, paving, pavement markings, relocation of various utilities, including lighting, signage, landscaping, tree removal and drainage improvements. 

Public Participation

The public participation program for the Focused EA was designed to enable RDUAA and the FAA to consult effectively with the general public, concerned interest groups, and public agencies about their views, concerns, and ideas regarding the scope and content of the EA and, ultimately, the adequacy of the EA environmental analyses. Public participation for the EA was conducted in accordance with FAA Order 1050.1G

The public participation process included two public workshops. Materials presented at both public workshops are posted on this website. The first shared information about the EA process and project scoping / kick-off, and the second shared the environmental analysis findings of the Draft EA. The public was provided notice for each public workshop and invited to provide comments during the open comment period for consideration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)? 

NEPA is a federal statute that requires federal agencies to evaluate the potential environmental effects of a proposed project and inform and involve the public before making decisions. The FAA is the lead federal agency responsible for compliance with the requirements of NEPA for this project.

What is an Environmental Assessment (EA)? 

An EA defines the purpose and need for a project, considers a range of reasonable alternatives, analyzes the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project and its alternatives, and demonstrates compliance with other Executive Orders and environmental statutes.

What are the roles of the FAA and the Airport Sponsor in preparing the EA?

The FAA will make its own independent evaluation of the environmental issues and take responsibility for the scope and content of the EA. The FAA also will make a final decision on whether it can issue a satisfactory environmental finding based upon the EA. The FAA will determine whether it may take the federal actions necessary to allow implementation of the project.

RDUAA is the responsible Airport Sponsor and will lead the preparation of the EA. The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 requires the Airport Sponsor to obtain FAA approval to construct the Proposed Action at the Airport. RDUAA will lead the preparation of the EA and the FAA will provide its review and oversight in the development of the document.

What is the difference between an EA and an Environmental Compliance Review (ECR)? 

As previously described, an EA is a federal document that is prepared pursuant to NEPA. The FAA reviews an airport proposed project and determines if they retain regulatory authority over a project. If the FAA determines they have regulatory authority, they determine what type of NEPA documentation is needed to satisfy NEPA. If the FAA does not have regulatory authority, the FAA does not have an action subject to NEPA.

RDUAA adopted a Project Environmental Compliance Review (ECR) Policy in 2022. This policy instructs RDUAA staff to complete a project environmental compliance review, including a public participation process, for a project when (1) the FAA determines it does not have approval authority pursuant and NEPA documentation is not required; and (2) the North Carolina (State) Environmental Policy Act of 1971 (SEPA) does not apply.

How do I keep updated about this EA? 

This website was developed by RDUAA and the FAA to keep the public informed about the EA, the NEPA process, and opportunities for public participation regarding this process. This website will be maintained throughout the EA process to keep the public updated of meetings, project developments, and opportunities for public involvement. 

Points of Contact

If you have questions or need further information, please contact:

Lopa Naik, P.E.
Environmental Protection Specialist
FAA, Memphis Airports District Office
2600 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Ste 2250
Memphis, TN 38118-2462
901-322-8188
lopa.naik@faa.gov

Delia Chi
VP of Planning & Sustainability
Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
1000 Trade Drive
RDU Airport, NC 27623
919-840-7744
delia.chi@rdu.com