RDU to Accelerate Terminal 2 Project

Airport Authority sets goal of completing terminal in time for NHL All-Star Game

RDU Airport, NC – The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority board today voted to accelerate construction of the second phase of Terminal 2 in order to open it in time for the NHL All-Star Game, which will be held on Sun., Jan. 30, 2011. The vote took place at the monthly meeting of the Airport Authority.

“The Airport Authority recognizes the importance of the airport to the Research Triangle Region's economic development efforts.” said Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Chairman Robb Teer. “The airport is also a gateway to our region. Visitors from all over the world will be flying into RDU for the All-Star Game. Terminal 2 was designed to showcase our region, and we feel an obligation to do what we can to have it completed in time for the game.”

The Airport Authority is working with its contractor, Archer Western Contractors, Ltd. to open Terminal 2 on Sun., Jan. 23, 2011. The Airport Authority will incur some costs which will be reflected in a change to the construction contract.

If Archer Western completes major construction and turns the building over to the Airport Authority by Dec. 6, the contract amount will increase by $590,000. If the contractor completes major construction between Dec. 7 – 13, the contract amount will increase by $300,000.

Once the building is turned over to the Airport Authority, RDU employees, tenants and other sub-contractors will complete the additional work needed to open and operate the building.

April Passenger Numbers Released
In April, 755,209 passengers traveled through RDU, down 2.7 percent compared to the same month in 2009. For the year, 2.7 million passengers have passed through RDU. Growth was flat compare to the same period last year.

The amount of cargo passing through RDU rose. In April, 8.9 million lbs. of cargo passed through RDU, up 11.4 percent compared to April 2009. For the year, the amount of cargo processed at RDU is up 12.2 percent compared to the same period last year.

The numbers were released at today's meeting.

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