RDU Closes Runway for Lighting Improvement Project

RDU Airport, NC – The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority today closed the runway adjacent to Terminal 1 temporarily as part of a project to replace existing incandescent lights with energy efficient light emitting diode (LED) fixtures. The runway is expected to reopen on or before June 17.

The closure will not affect travelers. Residents living near the airport may notice a slight adjustment in flight patterns as all commercial aircraft are routed to the runway adjacent to Terminal 2.

As part of its airfield lighting and signage improvement project, the Airport Authority will place LED fixtures in airfield guidance signs, runway centerline lights and touch-down zone lights, along with other related improvements.

Last spring, the Airport Authority began replacing incandescent lights with LED fixtures on the runway adjacent to Terminal 2. When completed, the Airport Authority will have replaced nearly 2,000 incandescent lights with LED fixtures.

LED fixtures last, on average, between 10 and 15 years, compared to incandescent lights that require maintenance every six months. LED fixtures are expected to last between five and 10 years before maintenance is required.

To fund the project, the Airport Authority was granted $5.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds and a $2.5 million state grant. The project budget is $9.4 million.

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