Construction ongoing at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is undergoing a major expansion, including the closure of West Boulevard and enhancements to Concourse A. The expansion focuses on increasing safety, efficiency, and passenger amenities amid a surge in traffic, with 53.4 million travelers served last year. The ongoing construction aims to manage rising air traffic and improve overall airport infrastructure as part of the Destination CLT program.
A significant transformation is underway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, as construction efforts ramp up to expand both its concourse facilities and overall safety measures. Starting January 3, a portion of West Boulevard will close permanently, impacting the segment between Piney Top Drive and Steele Creek Road. This long-anticipated road closure is necessary to facilitate the South End Around Taxiway project, a crucial part of the airport’s ongoing expansion endeavors.
This construction is projected to take approximately four months, causing a ripple effect in local traffic. Motorists will be encouraged to detour via Byrum Drive (between Steele Creek Road and Yorkmont Road) or Shopton Road (between Sandy Porter Road and Beam Road). For those traveling from south of the airport, using West Arrowood Road to connect to Sandy Porter Road and South Tryon Street will be imperative. New traffic signals will be installed on these detour routes to improve traffic management.
The taxiway project is part of the broader Fourth Parallel Runway Program and is designed to bolster safety measures by eliminating the need for aircraft to cross the center runway. With an expanding airport infrastructure, this initiative is pivotal in ensuring that the growing air traffic is managed efficiently and securely.
Concourse A has seen a substantial upgrade, with the official opening of Phase II occurring on September 17, 2024. A total of 200,000 square feet has been added to the concourse, featuring 10 new gates (seven designated for Delta Air Lines, two for Frontier Airlines, and one common-use gate). Post-expansion, Charlotte Douglas International Airport boasts a total of 124 gates.
The expansion, which cost approximately $241 million, stemmed from the demolition of a former rental car area back in 2016. With the airport handling up to 10 aircraft turns per gate daily, the enhancements are certainly timely. Travelers will be greeted with enhanced amenities including auto-tinting windows, new seating with wireless charging stations, and environmentally friendly features such as water-saving fixtures in restrooms.
For nursing mothers, a dedicated private Mother’s Room is now available in the women’s restroom, catering to the needs of families on the go. Additionally, art enthusiasts can marvel at a life-sized DC-9-82 T-Tail embedded in the terrazzo flooring near Gate A31, salvaged from Roswell, New Mexico.
Hungry travelers can also indulge in various dining options including Dunkin’, Crown Diner, Market Place, and Great Wagon Road Distilling Co. Plans also include an interactive installation, “First in Flight“, featuring a light wall and sound effects activated by passenger movement, further enhancing the travel experience.
Looking ahead, a Phase III expansion of Concourse A is projected to add another six to eight gates, expected to cost similarly to Phase II. This expansion is part of the sweeping “Destination CLT” program, which aims to improve overall airport infrastructure with investments estimated between $2.5 billion to $3.1 billion by 2035.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport has seen a surge in traffic, serving a staggering 53.4 million travelers in the previous year, translating into an impressive growth of 11.9% from 2022. Currently ranked ninth in the U.S. for passenger traffic and seventh for takeoffs and landings, the airport is undeniably a key player in the national aviation network. American Airlines plays a dominant role, accounting for around 87% of flights.
Simultaneous expansion efforts include a $608 million terminal lobby project slated to complete in 2025 and a $1 billion investment for a fourth parallel runway. New sky bridges and weather protection canopies are among the many upgrades in the lobby expansion for a smoother passenger experience.
In 2025, the South Ramp Expansion is expected to kick off, aimed at alleviating aircraft congestion, while discussions are underway for the Destination District project, entailing retail and commercial spaces near Wilkinson Boulevard.
It’s clear that growth and improvement are the names of the game at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, as this bustling hub continues to evolve and expand its offerings.
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