Airport Reaches Major Milestone
Paving is complete on Charlotte Douglas International Airport's new 9,000 foot parallel runway. This major milestone was reached in August 2009 when crews paved the last section.  Paving began in July 2008, nine months ahead of schedule. The runway construction site is approximately 650 acres and sits just east of I-485.  Nine million cubic yards of dirt has been moved during the construction. The new taxiway system includes approximately 25,000 feet of pavement. 

Crews have completed construction of the southern taxiway bridge.  Work on the northern taxiway bridge continues.  The two bridges will allow aircraft to cross over the taxiway to and from the terminal building.   The Airport is also preparing for the installation of navigational aids and runway lighting.

Funding for the runway project comes from federal grants and proceeds of the 2007 and 2008 General Airport Revenue Bonds, which will be repaid for by the Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) revenues.  The new runway is scheduled to be completed in November 2009 and will be commissioned by the FAA in February 2010.  

Roadway Construction 
A raised bridge on Old Dowd Road is completed and open to traffic. It is designed to make room for future rail line construction.  A second bridge will connect Old Dowd Road to Wilkinson Boulevard and allow non-airport traffic to bypass the primary Airport entrance on Little Rock Road.  The bridges will be completed by November 2009.

Construction is underway on the Josh Birmingham Parkway off-ramp which will open in November.  The ramp will allow motorists direct access from Josh Birmingham Parkway to Harlee Avenue where the new Business Valet Parking deck is under construction.  An on-ramp to Josh Birmingham Parkway from Harlee Avenue opened in June 2007. 

The Airport has completed phase one of work on Airport Drive.  The road has been relocated to make room for improvements to the Airport's General Aviation facilities.  Airport Drive is now a two-lane road with new curbing and gutters. Additional plans include raising a portion of  Airport Drive from Jackson Park Ministries to Jackson Park Homes. City utility crews (CMUD) are scheduled to retur in August for additional work on a large water main project.

Business Valet Parking Deck
CLT's newest parking facility is scheduled to open in December 2009. When completed, the 3,200-space four-level parking deck will house parking for the Airport's Business Valet parking customers. The deck is located at the corner of Wilkinson Boulevard and Harlee Avenue.

Tree Planting
The Airport is developing a master tree planting plan for CLT's main corridors to include management and installation of landscaping and re-planting of trees along Wallace Neel and Old Dowd Roads that were removed for construction of the new runway.  Other main Airport corridors include Josh Birmingham, Harlee Avenue at Wilkinson Boulevard, West Boulevard at Morris Field Drive and Yorkmont Road.