What’s New at Park Economy 3?

Jake Potter

One of our most visible Transform RDU projects — the expansion of RDU’s Park Economy 3 lot — is well underway.

As we continue to make progress, here’s where things stand with the airport’s largest parking facility.

More Spaces on the Way

Today, almost half of the planned 10,936 spaces at Park Economy 3 are open and available to customers. Here’s a forecast of what’s ahead:

  • Late summer: approximately 7,500 spaces available
  • Late fall: approximately 8,500 spaces available

Spaces will open incrementally as work wraps up in different areas of the lot.

A New Customer Amenity Building

A brand-new Customer Amenity Building is nearing completion and is expected to be open to the public in late summer.When it does, visitors will find restrooms, vending machines and more.

Some Authority staff, including law enforcement and public safety personnel, also will occupy office space at the new amenity building.

What’s Being Built and Improved

The Economy 3 expansion project isn’t just about adding new parking. RDU is adding experience upgrades, too:

  • Dynamic space count signage is currently in testing and commissioning. Eventually, visitors will be able to find real-time space availability by section upon arrival.
  • The entry plaza has doubled in size to six lanes, making your arrival even smoother.
  • Work is now underway to expand the exit plaza. We’re also adding a second bus loop road to improve traffic flow.
  • Crews are rehabilitating existing portions of the lot to bring everything up to the same standard.

Going Solar

Park Economy 3 is getting greener, with solar panels being installed across the lot. About one-third of the panels are operational right now and in the testing and commissioning stage.

The remaining panels are on track to become operational and enter testing by the end of spring.

Stay in-the-know about what’s happening at Park Economy 3 at TransformRDU.com.