Officials with the Federal Aviation Administration visited Raleigh-Durham International Airport Monday morning.
The goal of the visit was to learn about the airport's Transform RDU project. This includes the Terminal 2 runway replacement and expansion project, among others.
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Daniel J. Edwards, the Federal Aviation Administration Associate Administrator said these projects are meeting the Triangle's growing needs. He said the FAA has a forecast showing Raleigh traffic is going to increase over 50% in terms of aircrafts over the next 20 years.
"Raleigh is clearly growing and this airport has to be in a position to meet those growth demands. Whether that's leisure travel, attracting the right businesses and connectivity to the triangle community," Edwards said.
The new two-mile-long Runway 5L-23 replacement will carry passengers and bigger aircraft to more international destinations. This will provide larger economic opportunities for the Triangle area. It's expected to be completed by 2029. The Terminal 2 expansion project is bringing new restaurants for travelers. It also includes a 24-hour lounge, expanded arrival areas, and new security checkpoint lines. It's expected to be completed by 2032.
"Ultimately, it's all about supporting the expansion of the terminal and also creating access to markets Raleigh currently doesn't have," Edwards said.
Edwards said the Department of Transportation and FAA have contributed $250 million in federal money towards the expansion projects at RDU. He said his visit helps him get a pulse of the community, understand the business case of the project and to put eyes on the constraints the airports are seeing.
"That's a function of what we and the FAA are doing to support the project. We want to make sure there's no red tape standing between this project and the grant dollars we're able to provide," Edwards said.
RDU is investing $2.5 billion dollars into the Transform RDU project over the next 10 years.