July 31, 2024 – The way many travelers enter Charlotte Douglas International Airport has become safer and more efficient. The change also will keep vehicle traffic flowing in front of the terminal.
Starting today (July 31), customers walking between the terminal lobby and the Hourly Deck, or the Rental Car Facility will no longer have to cross eight lanes of traffic. Pedestrians will use either the newly constructed skybridges or the underground walkways.
“It’s a pretty significant milestone and an important part of the overall Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE) project,” said CLT Chief Infrastructure Officer Jack Christine.
The TLE is a six-year project that is scheduled to be complete in fall 2025. It is part of Destination CLT, the Airport’s $4 billion capital investment in capacity enhancements. The TLE is transforming the terminal, which was built in 1982 to accommodate 2.8 million travelers a year. In 2023, CLT passenger traffic reached a record 53.4 million.
View the new entryway to and from the terminal.
Skybridges
Two overhead walkways connect the Hourly Deck with the terminal lobby. The new 146,000-square-foot canopy protects people from the elements during the short walk.
The safety walls on the skybridges are made of glass, enabling an unobstructed view of the uptown Charlotte skyline.
Once inside the terminal, visitors will have an entirely new perspective of the lobby. The full Ticketing area is visible from the skybridges. The Queen Charlotte statue, which is perched on a 30-foot plinth, is at eye level.
Entering the lobby on this level is most efficient for people beginning their journey. Travelers can take an elevator, escalator or stairs down to the Ticketing area.
When greeted by spectacular art created in the terrazzo flooring, people may want to linger on the skybridges for a minute or two.
- Catawba Ways: This tribute to the Catawba Indian Nation is located on the east skybridge. It includes a depiction of the Catawba River, along which the native people lived for thousands of years. Artist Janelle Lane Stanley incorporated items of significance to the Catawba Nation into the design, including pottery. Catawba potters still pass on their art to new generations.
Janelle Stanley reveals the historical relevance of Catawba Ways in this video.
- Garden Carpet: A bouquet of large magnolias, dogwoods and camellias, this design on the west skybridge is a tribute to the breathtaking colors that bloom in the Carolinas each spring. Artist Susan Brenner, who used to teach at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was inspired by the profusion of flowers and culture of gardening.
Susan Brenner reflects on her inspiration for Garden Carpet in this video.
Underground Walkways
The two underground walkways that connect the Hourly Deck with the lower level of the terminal are an ideal route for people greeting travelers arriving in Charlotte. It’s also convenient for passengers who have just picked up their luggage and are headed to the Rental Car Facility or the Hourly Deck. The Valet Parking desk is in the west underground walkway as well.
Travelers can easily move from Baggage Claim to the underground walkways using a staircase, escalator or an elevator.
Though these paths are underground, there is nothing drab about them.
“We really did try to deliberately enhance the experience by incorporating art into the design,” said Christine.
Both underground walkways feature creations from artists Catherine Widgery and Scott Parsons.
- Restless Sea/Restless Sky: Travelers see their own reflection while walking past Widgery’s images of waves and clouds, drawing us into the experience and creating a light and airy sense of place.
- Carolina in the Morning/Carolina Moon: Parsons’ terrazzo sculptures are a rich, visual tapestry that interweaves themes of music, flight, regional flora and fauna and a sense of joy.
Stunning Canopy
Construction of the 146,000-square foot glass roadway canopy will finish this fall. It covers the terminal’s eight-lane roadway and skybridges, protecting Airport visitors from inclement weather. The architectural structure is a sight to behold when approaching the terminal.
Elevated Passenger Experience
While it may take time for CLT customers to get used to the new way of accessing the terminal from the Hourly Deck, the skybridges and underground walkways elevate the Airport experience in many ways.
- Vehicles on the lower level will no longer be stopped, so pedestrians can cross. This will keep traffic flowing and reduce back-ups.
- Visitors will take a safer, covered and traffic-free path to the terminal.
- People can choose the route that most efficiently takes them where they want to go.
- The space incorporates Carolinas-inspired art that honors and reflects the region’s beauty and rich history.
The TLE will wrap up in 2025. It will include modern ticket counters, three large security checkpoints and five pre-security concession spaces.
“The completed Terminal Lobby Expansion will be spectacular,” Christine said. “It will be modern, spacious, filled with natural light and worth the wait. Our passengers will definitely be impressed.”
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