RDU has long-term plans to ease travel in air, on ground

The “Vision 2040” construction project is underway at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. As travelers start making their spring and summer plans, some are left wondering if the 25-year construction project will leave them with a headache at the airport.

“Vision 2040 is RDU’s flight plan for the future,” says Kristie VanAuken, an airport spokeswoman.

The plan has some travelers excited yet optimistic for what’s to come.

“Parking has been a challenge at RDU over the years. They had nice parking close to the terminal then they tore it down. Then they had parking lots; now it’s grass,” traveler Shawn Easter said. “They’ve put these new buildings in that are okay but, they do seem to fill up fast.”

RDU says that things will get a lot easier as the construction project continues.

“We’ve got some repairs and renovations in our Park Central garage,” said VanAuken. “We’re also going to do some road improvements on John Brantley Boulevard, the main thoroughfare here at RDU.”

Even though construction and repairs on the Park Central garage and John Brantley Boulevard aren’t set to begin until April, RDU officials say travelers will hardly notice a thing this upcoming spring and summer.

“I’m anxious to see what’s in the future,” said Easter.