The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted authorisation for Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) to replace its primary runway, 5L/23R.
Following an Environmental Assessment, the FAA has issued a Record of Decision and Finding of No Significant Impact, which authorises the airport to begin final permitting and construction.
This project will replace the RDU’s existing 10,000-foot runway after nearly four decades of use.
The new runway will be built approximately 537 feet west of the current infrastructure to allow the current runway to remain in operation throughout construction. In the long run, this relocation will also make room for more gates to be added at Terminal 2.
The new Runway 5L/23R is a central component of the Airport Authority’s Vision 2040 master plan for growth. It is expected to cost over 500 million USD and will be completed by 2028.
“RDU’s new primary runway will be the most important two miles of pavement in the Triangle. It will provide greater economic opportunities for our region by ensuring RDU maintains its transatlantic connections and allowing long-haul aircraft to move more passengers and cargo.”
In addition to replacing the existing ageing infrastructure, the FAA previously issued approval for the new runway to be 10,639 feet long to provide more distance for takeoff and landing.
