Destination CLT Updates
Destination CLT, the Airport’s $4 billion capital improvement program, remains on schedule for two of its biggest projects – the Terminal Lobby Expansion and Fourth Parallel Runway. Both will have big impacts at Charlotte Douglas.
Terminal Lobby Expansion
The Airport is approximately a year away from the fall 2025 completion of the Terminal Lobby Expansion (TLE). CLT is adding 175,000 square feet to the current lobby and renovating 191,000 square feet of existing lobby space.
Upcoming changes are in the works. American Airlines will open another 11 new ticket counters in mid-October. The airline previously opened 11 new ticket counters in July.
The lobby’s upper-level commercial lane is scheduled to open in mid-November. When it does, CLT shuttle buses will drop off passengers on the Departures/Ticketing level. Passengers are now dropped off on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level.
Checkpoint 2 remains under construction. It is expected to open in late spring or early summer. Checkpoint E will be renamed Checkpoint 3 in early October.
New Baggage Claim devices will debut this fall as well.
Fourth Parallel Runway
Construction continues for the Fourth Parallel Runway. Drainage pipe installation and utility work is underway. Grading is progressing and will be underway through mid-2026.
Concrete paving will begin in 2025 and finish in early 2027.
The $1 billion project is on target for a fall 2027 commissioning and opening.
Road Closures
CLT permanently closed Marshall Drive and a portion of Old Dowd Road on Sept. 4 due to construction associated with the North End Around Taxiway Project.
Currently, crews are working on a new bridge connecting to Wilkinson Boulevard.
While construction is underway, drivers should follow all detour signage.
The closures impact Airport Overlook visitors as well as local traffic and commuters who use Old Dowd Road to Marshall Drive to access Wilkinson Boulevard.
The North End Around Taxiway project aims to improve safety by eliminating crossings of the center runway.
View the detour route and learn more.