Project Description

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has earned an Envision Platinum Award for its Park Economy 3 Expansion Project in recognition of significant efforts to generate social, environmental, and economic outcomes that benefit the broader community. This marks the third Envision Award in North Carolina, but the first at the Platinum level and the first for an airport project in the state!

The Park Economy 3 Expansion Project expands an existing 3,820 space lot by approximately 7,000 additional spaces, while also adding solar-covered walkways, an advanced wayfinding design that enables visitors to quickly find open spots, an electric shuttle bus service to the terminals, and the incorporation of submerged gravel wetlands to manage stormwater.

While the surrounding region houses about two million residents, the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) serves an even greater geographic region with travelers coming from across the state – and even from Virginia and South Carolina. Air travel at this facility has significantly rebounded following the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to exceed the prior decade as the region’s population and economy continue to grow. This is creating increased demand for parking, especially as existing capacity diminishes to accommodate other capital development projects.

The Park Economy 3 Expansion Project is one of the first major capital improvement projects for the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority since publishing its new sustainability policy in February 2023. This policy established and formalized the commitment of the Authority to a sustainable future, including the application of a sustainable rating system to future capital development projects. This project team chose to use the Envision Sustainable Infrastructure Framework, which was designed to promote more sustainable, resilient, and equitable infrastructure projects. It is comprised of 64 sustainability and resiliency indicators (called credits) which are organized within five categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World, and Climate and Resilience. Together, the categories and credits address materials, energy, conservation, community development, planning, collaboration, human well-being, mobility, and more. The use of Envision on this project has helped to guide positive impacts for the local community, provide tools for increased transparency and stakeholder collaboration, and highlight innovation and industry leadership.

The first phase of this project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with later phases finishing up into early 2026.

Verified Sustainability Achievements

Improving Quality of Life – This project aims to prioritize passenger safety and comfort through a variety of intentional and sustainability-driven enhancements that exceed regulatory standards. These include reducing the walking distance between bus stops; providing covered walkways for protection from adverse weather; and improving pedestrian safety with blue light emergency phones, illuminated pathways, and clear wayfinding signage. Improved stormwater management controls also reduce potential hazards from wet pavement, and an expanded entry-way plaza helps to ease traffic congestion on nearby roadways. Additionally, the project team sought to improve lot aesthetics by implementing design features on the bus shelters that mimic the rolling hills of North Carolina and thoughtfully incorporating landscaping throughout the parking lot.

Supporting the Local Economy – The Park Economy 3 Expansion Project is estimated to generate over 1,400 design and construction jobs, with an emphasis on engaging minority- and women-owned small businesses. With a projected economic impact nearing $300 million, this project will increase operating capacity and improve the overall customer experience at the airport. The project is also fostering a culture of sustainability by training construction team members and airport staff in safety and environmental best practices. Plus, as this project is laying the groundwork for other airport developments, it is unlocking additional economic growth and job creation for the broader community. Additionally, the project team has partnered with NC State University to support undergraduate and graduate level education and research on advanced stormwater control measures.

Protecting Local Resources – In response to public feedback regarding the local environment, the project team carefully minimized land disturbance through reduced tree clearing and avoiding development near wetlands and surface waters. A tree buffer was also preserved to shield the surrounding community from noise and light pollution. Post-construction, vegetated areas will be restored with native soils and low-maintenance landscaping to support healthy regrowth and eliminate the need for harmful chemicals.

Advancing Stormwater Management – This project is setting a new benchmark in sustainable stormwater management with the largest submerged gravel wetland system of its kind in North Carolina. Developed in collaboration with the NC Department of Environmental Quality and NC State University, the system includes a subsurface treatment pond filled with gravel substrate material, topped with wetland soil, and seeded with native wetland plants. This natural treatment approach exceeds regulatory requirements and not only filters pollutants and reduces sedimentation, but also mitigates flow rates, reduces downstream flood risks, and avoids creating wildlife attractants near the airport – a key consideration for safety. NC State University will continue to monitor and maintain the stormwater basins for two years post construction, using their findings to advance more applications of this approach. RDU is currently designing educational signage on this innovative technology, which will be located in the bus shelters.

Prioritizing Renewable Energy – The project team integrated renewable energy generation by applying solar panels to covered walkways, which are estimated to generate enough electricity to meet nearly all the parking lot’s energy needs. Additional sustainability-focused efforts including electric shuttle buses and LED lighting retrofits will help to reduce operational energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions throughout the project’s operational life.

Demonstrating Innovative Leadership – The Park Economy 3 Expansion project team stands out in the airport industry for its proactive approach to environmental accountability. Although not subject to federal or state environmental review, the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority developed and applied its own Environmental Compliance Review Policy. This led to a comprehensive third-party Environmental Compliance Report, which transparently details both the project’s environmental impacts and corresponding mitigation strategies. This voluntary and innovative process sets a precedent for industry leadership, marking one of the first known instances of an airport independently conducting and publicly sharing an environmental review outside of regulatory requirements.