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. 

Work on the southern end taxiway bridge is complete.  Crews continue work on the northern end taxiway bridge.  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 now 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 return in August for additional work on a large water main project.

Business Valet Parking Deck
CLT's newest parking facility is almost complete. 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 is scheduled to be completed by December 2009.

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.

 Airport Vicinity Road Relocation Schedule

There are three elements to the project - the relocation of Old Dowd Rd. and Wallace Neel Rd.; relocation of West Blvd. and the runway. All are being constructed simultaneously.

Old Dowd Rd./Wallace Neel RD.  Relocation and Construction - Completed

The new road is funded primarily through Federal Aviation Administration grant dollars and airport funds. No public tax dollars are being used to fund the road relocation or the runway.

(A)  The relocated Old Dowd. Rd. connects to the current Old Dowd Rd. north of Runway 18R and extend west towards I-485.

(B)  Wallace Neel Rd. picks-up Old Dowd Rd. at Walker's Ferry Rd. and continue south, traveling parallel and between I-485 and the new parallel runway. The road (C) connects to West Blvd. on the south end of the airport.

(D) Walker's Ferry Rd. and Dixie River Rd. are accessible from the new road via overpasses already in place.

West Blvd. Relocation and Construction - Underway

(E) West Blvd. Phase I: The construction of two lanes from I-485 at Garrison Rd. and extend to Byrum Dr. - began in Summer 2009.

(F) Additionally, a new four lane section of road will be constructed from Byrum Dr. just west of its intersection with Yorkmont Rd. to the current West Blvd. at Horseshoe Ln.

(G) The new east leg and west leg of West Blvd. will be connected by the existing Byrum Dr.

The fist phase of the West Blvd. relocation will be in place prior to the completion of the runway so citizens can access the new Wallace Neel Rd. and connect to the east side of the city. Completion is anticipated for Summer 2010.

(H) West Blvd. Phase II: A new four lane section of road will be constructed south of the current Byrum Dr. once funding is in place.