Allow Extra Time for Detour if Using Park & Ride Lots 2 and 4 Next Week

RDU Airport, NC – A section of W. International Drive, commonly known as Tunnel Road, will be closed from July 21 - July 28 for major reconstruction. Traffic will be routed along Aviation Parkway to International Drive via I-540 to access Park and Ride Lots 2 and 4.

Airport officials suggest customers add at least 20 minutes to their travel plans to compensate for the detour. The Airport Authority will add extra shuttle buses on the Park & Ride lots to reduce the transfer time between the lots and the terminals.

Workers will repave a 2,100-foot long section of Tunnel Road that has experienced severe deterioration due to heavy use. "There has been a significant increase in the number of passengers and shuttle buses traveling between the parking lots and the terminals since the road was constructed in 1985," said Teresa Damiano, Airport Authority spokesman. Today, up to thirty 40-passenger shuttle buses an hour carry passengers between Park and Ride Lots 2 and 4 and the terminals.

The traffic pattern between I-40 and I-540 leading directly to the terminals and the rental car area will not be affected by the roadwork.

Signs will clearly mark the detour route throughout the weeklong closure.

Reconstruction of Tunnel Road is being performed by Reifenburg Contractors of Durham at a cost of $340,000.

Note: Detour signs will be erected Friday, July 20 and uncovered Saturday, July 21.

###