With record traffic expected this Labor Day weekend and a growing number of passengers as well as flights, leaders at Raleigh-Durham International Airport are putting in place a $500 million plan they believe will help the thriving complex manage more traffic, from foot to cars to aircraft.
RDU plans to ease congestion in front of its terminals and access road with a new ground transportation center and a consolidated rental car complex (called CONRAC) in about six years.
The changes mean travelers will no longer need to take a shuttle bus to rental car facilities, but they will have to do some walking.
Consultants from California-based InterVISTAS Consulting Group presented initial designs for both the CONRAC and the ground transportation center (GTC) to the RDU governing board recently, including a video animation.
A rederning of the CONRAC at RDU taken as a screen shot from an animation about the project.
While CONRAC will be about 800 feet from Terminal 2 and 1,000 feet from Terminal 1, moving walkways, escalators and elevators will ease the trip.
The GTC will be on the first level at the southern end of the current parking deck. Taxies, hotel shuttles and ride share cars from Uber and Lyft will all pick up and drop off passengers at the GTC. It will include a waiting area for 50 people that will be heated or cooled.
RDU sees monthly double-digit growth
Jake Potter, director of internal communications at RDU, told WRAL TechWire that the changes are intended to ease congestion along the terminal curbs. About 35,000 to 40,000 passengers pass through the airport daily, Potter said. “We had a 13 percent growth last month in passenger traffic. We’re seeing double digit growth every month.”
“Think about shuttles,” he added. “They’re a big driver of congestion. Pulling them off the road will ease congestion at the terminal curbs, as will consolidating taxis, rideshare companies and limos at the GTC.”
Non-stop destinations from RDU International.
The changes will include both an overground walkway and underground tunnel from the GTC, CONRAC and parking deck, eliminating the walk at street level. “We talk about creating a worldclass experience at RDU,” Potter said. “These changes will be transformative and work toward that goal.”
At least two years of environmental and preliminary work will be necessary before construction can begin, Potter noted. Construction of the project will require about four years after that. Money for the project comes from RDU rental car fees.
The preliminary design also requires will also require some shifts in the airport access roads themselves, Potter said.
Plan ahead
The airport encourages people to plan ahead more than ever, given the growth it is experiencing.
“We are pleased to see an increasing number of business and leisure travelers making RDU their airport of choice,” said Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the RDU Airport Authority in a recent statement. “During this busy travel season, it’s important that travelers arrive early to RDU to allow enough time to catch their flight.”
The need for such changes are not limited to the RDU. More people are flying than ever. The International Air Transport Association, the industry trade group, says the number of airline passengers in North America will top 1 billion this year, up 19 percent for 2014.
On top of that, rideshare traffic has increased dramatically, something airports were not designed to handle. The San Francisco International Airport, the three major airports in the New York City area, Portland, Oregon, Tampa, Florida, and others are taking similar steps to RDU’s to reduce congestion.
Recent airport improvements, additions
Here’s a list of recent airport additions and changes as cited by the airport authority:
- New shops, expanded hours: The Shops of RDU is ready to welcome new retail and dining options in the coming weeks, and is celebrating expanded hours of operations to meet customer demand.
Triangle Market opened recently at Terminal 1.The retail shop features local artisans and goods and follows the success of Terminal 2’s Root & Branch, named by USA TODAY’s 10Best as North America’s top airport store for local merchandise. Travelers can find Triangle Market across from Gate A-6.
Terminal 2 passengers can look forward to a new dining option in early September when BurgerFi opens for business. The fast-growing “better burger” chain also features hot dogs, custard and a full bar. BurgerFi will be located near Gate D-3.
Many of RDU’s concessionaires have expanded their morning hours, opening as early at 4 a.m. Travelers can find updated hours for their favorite Shops of RDU at RDU.com.
- Frontier adds nonstop flights to Miami and Atlanta: Frontier Airlines added daily nonstop service to Miami, Fla. and Atlanta, Ga, two of RDU’s most popular domestic destinations. Frontier also extended its seasonal service from Raleigh to Boston to operate year-round.
Frontier now offers nonstop service to 22 destinations from RDU. The growing airline expands customer choice and provides a low-cost option to these markets.
- United opens a new club: United Airlines opened a United Club at RDU on Aug. 10, the airline’s first new club at one of its network airport locations in more than 15 years. The new United Club marks RDU’s third airline lounge. The 3,800-square-foot space is located in Terminal 2 across from gates D1 and D3, accessible by elevator or stairs. The United Club at RDU is open from 5 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily and provides a regional taste with Southern cuisine offerings.
