The next time you drive to RDU, the airport landscape may look a lot different. That’s because sections of Terminal 1 dating back to the 1950’s are coming down. The work began in late April and will continue through the summer.

In 1955, the oldest part of the building now known as Terminal 1 opened, replacing the airport’s previous terminal – a temporary structure that was once barracks when the airport was a U.S. Army airfield.

Over time, the building was expanded and reshaped to fit the growth of our region and the changing demands of aviation.

During the 1960s and 1970s, new bag claim space was added to the northern end of the building and a three-story addition for airport offices rose above the terminal’s ground level. In the 1980’s an entirely new structure was built adjacent to the original terminal and the names terminal “A” and “B” were used for the first time.

In the 1990’s a new north concourse rose above the 1955 terminal building and an underground pedestrian tunnel to the parking garage was added.

Another modification to the building, and one of the sections currently being demolished was a 5-gate south concourse extension built to add space to new carriers operating from the terminal.

For many longtime Triangle residents, flying meant a trip through Terminal 1 (formerly known as A and B terminal sections). While the airport constructed a new American Airlines hub in 1987, the workhorse terminal of RDU remained the “blue box” on the east side of the airfield. It remained that way until late 2008, when Terminal 2 opened and the migration of air carriers from east to west across the airport campus began.

Following a $68 million renovation of the main, 1982 portion of Terminal 1 in 2014, the north and south ends were decommissioned and closed for use.

What will take the place of these familiar structures? Time will tell. In March of 2017, the areas being demolished will be landscaped and will provide sweeping new views of the airfield.

The next chapter of the airport’s development program rests in the Vision2040 Master Planning project, which is currently underway. On June 1 and 2, several alternative development plans will be shared prior to the completion of the master plan in late 2016.

Do you have a memory of the old Terminal 1? Share in the comments below.