Metcon Inc., Balfour Beatty’s building operations and joint-venture partner, in association with Right Build and Varnedoe Construction, has been selected to deliver a $650 million phased construction program at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
The construction program at RDU will support growth in passenger volume and the ability for airport facilities to meet the current and future demand for aviation in the Research Triangle region. The Balfour Beatty and Metcon joint venture will deliver the expansion of Park Economy 3, improvements to the Aviation Parkway and National Guard Drive interchange, and the Terminal 2 Landside Expansion program over the course of multiple years.
The Park Economy 3 expansion includes expanding the existing parking area and delivering 8,000 additional parking spaces. A multilevel law enforcement and parking operations building will also be constructed with covered walkways, new bus shelters and canopies. Construction of the Park Economy 3 expansion will commence in fall 2023, with a scheduled delivery in 2025.
The Aviation Parkway and National Guard Drive interchange will undergo capacity and safety improvements to accommodate increased traffic volumes from the expansion of Park Economy 3, as well as future development along National Guard Drive. The interchange will feature new roadway infrastructure connecting the newly expanded parking lot to Aviation Parkway and a new bridge overpass to allow RDU’s shuttle bus traffic to have almost continuous free-flow movement between the terminal area and Park Economy 3. The improvements are expected to begin in 2025.
In addition, the Terminal 2 Landside Expansion program includes three subphases — the expansion of Terminal 2, the demolition and reconstruction of Parking Garage 1 and 2 and the extension of John Brantley Boulevard — to meet long-term Terminal 2 passenger demand. The expansion of Terminal 2 includes expanding the terminal’s processor building and the expansion and modification of the landside federal inspections station and custom and border patrol areas of the building. The Parking Garage 1 and 2 demolition and reconstruction includes replacing the garage decks with new five- to seven-story decks, and pedestrian bridge and tunnel connections to Terminal 2.
Lastly, the John Brantley Boulevard extension involves realigning the main road loop between Terminals 1 and 2 to create space for a future consolidated rental car facility (CONRAC). The Terminal 2 Landside Expansion program is scheduled to start in early 2025.
“Balfour Beatty is honored to continue our more than 10-year relationship with Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority,” said Trent Johnson, operations director for Balfour Beatty. “Balfour Beatty looks forward to working with Metcon, local minority-owned businesses and our industry partners to construct these vital projects that will help to enhance the passenger experience and support current and future demand at RDU.”
The Balfour Beatty–led joint venture will execute master agreements for the Parking Economy 3 expansion, Aviation Parkway and National Guard Drive improvements and Terminal 2 Landslide Expansion program in March 2023.