Crews at Raleigh-Durham International Airport will open a temporary walkway Thursday to facilitate construction of a major element of the second phase of Terminal 2.

The walkway will allow pedestrians easy access between the parking garage and Terminal 2 while a large canopy and mast are built over the upper level roadway.

The canopy and mast are two of the terminal's architectural signatures. Upon completion, the canopy will protect pedestrians from the elements as they walk between the parking garage and terminal. To install the more than 90-foot tall, 150,000- pound mast, crews will hoist it into place using a large crane.

Crews will then install three large trusses that will carry the roofline 90 feet beyond the terminal building. Large towers will provide temporary structural support for the trusses during canopy construction.

Installation of the canopy trusses and mast will take place at night. Construction will last six to eight months.

Crews are currently building what will become the terminal's south concourse, central atrium and additional airline checkin and baggage claim areas. When phase two is completed, Terminal 2 will feature an additional 17 gates, an additional 15 shops and restaurants and three more works of art.

Work on the second phase of Terminal 2 began just days after the first phase opened on Oct. 26, 2008. Over the past seven months, the frame of what will be the south concourse has taken shape. Construction of the building's steel frame is nearly completed and the trusses for the concourse are currently being installed.

Related Links

1. See More Renderings of Terminal 2