CLT airport partially reopens upper-level roadway. Its closure created traffic havoc.
Charlotte drivers fed up with unusually long lines to drive into the airport recently are about to see relief — but some traffic hassles will remain.
The upper-level roadway has partially reopened after being closed since Sept. 27, Charlotte Douglas International Airport officials said late Monday. The closure allowed for construction of a roadway canopy that’s part of a five-year, $608 million terminal expansion project.
During the initial construction, people dropping off departing passengers were forced to use the lower level roadway, which is used for arrivals. That prompted the airport to advise customers to arrive two hours early.
The closure was supposed to end at 4 a.m. Wednesday. But shortly before 7 p.m. Monday, the airport announced the partial reopening of the upper-level road.
Two or the four upper-roadway lanes will remain closed for the duration of the canopy construction, although it is only for a short distance before the road turns into four lanes open to traffic.
18 months of nightly road closures
The initial phase of the project is now complete, airport officials said. But that upper-level roadway will still be closed at night for the next 18 months as contractors continue their work.
The road will reopen during the day for passenger drop-off and pick-up. Closure times will vary, according to the airport, which urged people to continue to arrive early.
When The Charlotte Observer asked how people can find out what time the road will close or reopen on a particular day, airport officials said they were not able to predict closing times. “It will depend on construction. Passengers should follow roadway signs for directions and information about nightly closures.”
The airport also encouraged passengers to follow it on Facebook and Twitter (@cltairport) for traffic and construction updates as information becomes available.
Other changes at Charlotte’s airport
Airport officials also announced these updates Monday:
▪ Airline curbside ticket counters/check-in will reopen Wednesday. Until then, people should check-in at the airlines’ ticket counters in the lobby.
▪ Special Assistance Zones have returned to their normal location on the upper-level roadway in front of the center door.
▪ Door 2, the center door, and Door 5 have reopened for entry and exit on the upper level.
▪ CLT’s Cell Phone Lot on Josh Birmingham Parkway will reopen on Wednesday. It’s temporarily located in the Daily North Lot.
▪ Express Deck shuttle bus pick up and drop off remains on the Arrivals/Baggage Claim level, in the bus lane Zone 2 in the lower level.
▪ Curbside Valet check-in is now on the first level of the Hourly Deck. There are signs directing customers to the new location. A temporary check-in counter is located inside the west subterranean walkway to assist with check-in/checkout operations.
Charlotte Douglas was one of the world’s busiest airports last year, ranked as having the fifth most arrivals and departures, according to Airports Council International 2021 preliminary rankings. The airport saw 519,895 arrivals and departures last year, and served 43 million customers.
This story was originally published October 10, 2022 at 8:26 PM with the headline "CLT airport partially reopens upper-level roadway. Its closure created traffic havoc.."
