North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) has entered the construction phase of a major “landside” expansion of Terminal 2, a centerpiece of the airport’s $2.5 billion “Transform RDU” capital improvement program.
The project, which began in early 2026, aims to modernize and expand the terminal’s capacity from the curbside to the security checkpoints to accommodate the Triangle region’s rapid population and travel growth.
A primary driver of the expansion is the increasing demand for international service. According to RDU officials, the project will significantly enlarge the International Arrivals area and the Federal Inspection Station (FIS) to better process passengers arriving from foreign destinations.
Key components of the landside expansion include:
- Ticketing hall expansion: Crews have already installed a temporary floor-to-ceiling wall at the north end of the ticketing hall to facilitate a two-year construction phase that will add more ticket counters and kiosks.
- Security enhancements: The project will add new security checkpoint lanes to reduce wait times during peak travel periods.
- Baggage system upgrades: A total overhaul of the baggage handling and screening systems is underway to increase efficiency and reliability.
- International arrivals: Expansion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities to support RDU’s growing portfolio of nonstop international flights.
“Expanding Terminal 2 will help accommodate continued growth at RDU and improve the travel experience,” Michael Landguth, president and CEO of the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority, said in a recent statement regarding the project’s start.
Coupled with the terminal expansion is a $175 million project to extend and widen John Brantley Boulevard, the airport’s main artery. This phase includes a total reconstruction of the roadway bridge that connects to the Terminal 2 departures area.
To facilitate this work, the airport will implement a significant traffic shift starting in early 2028. For approximately two years, Terminal 2 passengers will be dropped off at a temporary curb located between the parking garage and Terminal 1. Travelers will then use moving sidewalks, elevators, and escalators to navigate through the parking garage to reach the Terminal 2 ticketing hall.
For the North Carolina construction industry, the Terminal 2 expansion represents a long-term infrastructure commitment. While the initial ticketing hall and checkpoint phases are expected to take roughly two years, the full scope of the Terminal 2 expansion is slated for completion in 2032.
RDU officials emphasize that despite the construction walls and noise, all current ticket counters and security lanes will remain open throughout the project. The airport has urged travelers to “pack their patience” and arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international departures. For more information click the links: RDU Transform Terminal 2 Project Map & Rendering, Terminal 2 Interior Construction Update (RDU blog featuring photos of the temporary construction walls and passenger flow maps) and John Brantley Boulevard Extension Overview (Architectural context for the $175M roadway project).