Third Parallel Runway Construction Making Record Progress
Runway Grading Contract Completed

CLT's new parallel runway and new taxiway construction project continues to move forward with tremendous progress. More than 60 percent of the runway and taxiway system has been paved, with completion scheduled for August 2009.  Paving began July 2, 2008 and is six months ahead of the original paving schedule. The scope of the runway/taxiway project covers more than 650 acres. More than 8.4 million cubic yards of dirt has been moved and grading is completed along the northern and southern ends of the 9,000 foot runway, which sits directly east of I-485.

Crews have also removed the former Old Dowd Road along the northern end of the runway project. Two taxiway bridges are being built and will allow access to 300 acres located between the two connector taxiways for future development. The Airport has also begun preparing for the installation of navigational aids. Runway completion is scheduled for January 2010.New fencing has been installed along the runway project along Old Dowd Road and Wallace Neel Road.

In November, the FAA approved renaming runway 18R/36L to 18C/36C, in preparation of the opening of the new runway, which will be named 18R/36L.

Road Construction Along Runway continues
Road construction projects near completion

Old Dowd Road Opens
(Rev. road relocation map-will be cropped)
The NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) opened Old Dowd Road's new extension on Monday, October 13, 2008.   The 1.2 mile extension connects to the existing Old Dowd Road and extends west to connect with the newly relocated Wallace Neel Road.  Simultaneously, Old Dowd Road, past the Overlook permanently closed for construction of the new third parallel runway.  Visitors can continue to access the Over Look from the north end of the former Old Dowd Road or from the Old Dowd Road extension.

The Airport continues work on a bridge that will connect Old Dowd Road to Wilkinson Boulevard.  Design for the West Blvd. relocation from I-485 to Byrum Drive is also underway. Work began on the Old Dowd Road extension in early summer of 2007.   All road relocation projects are scheduled for completion in 2009.  The new runway is scheduled to be completed in January, 2010.  

 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 will (C) connect to West Blvd. on the south end of the airport.

(D) Walker's Ferry Rd. and Dixie River Rd. will be 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. will begin 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.