Senator Thom Tillis has secured more than $45 million in federal grants for North Carolina’s two largest airports in 2025, directing new funds to capacity, safety, and access projects at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
On June 21, 2025, CLT received a $21.5 million award from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to build a new 10,000-foot runway.
On July 16, 2025, RDU won a $24 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program), supported in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that Tillis helped negotiate and pass.
Federal grants for CLT and RDU
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- The $21.5 million FAA grant will support construction of a 10,000-foot runway designed to reduce delays, handle more flights, and keep operations running smoothly at one of the world’s busiest hubs.
- Senator Thom Tillis said the runway will cut congestion, improve operations, and make travel better for the millions of passengers who depend on Charlotte as a transportation hub.
- The grant flows through the FAA’s long-running AIP program, which funds airport safety, capacity, and infrastructure projects.
The FAA describes AIP as a federal tool for critical airport improvements that maintain safe and efficient operations; details on the program are available on the agency’s website at https://www.faa.gov/airports/aip.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
- RDU will use the $24 million BUILD grant to realign and widen the main roadway in front of the airport’s two terminals.
- The project expands the curbside approach from two to four lanes, bringing the road up to national standards and easing terminal access as the Triangle’s population and travel demand grow.
- According to Tillis, the investment will help the region keep pace with growth while maintaining a high level of service for travelers.
Both airport authorities worked with the Senator’s office and federal agencies to advance the funding. Airport authorities will now manage design, construction, and reporting consistent with federal grant rules.
The BUILD award to RDU draws partial funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted in 2021, which increased federal support for airport infrastructure nationwide. That law, paired with AIP’s ongoing role in safety and capacity work, has put North Carolina among the beneficiaries of renewed federal attention to airport upgrades. VisaVerge.com reports continued coverage of federal funding streams that affect airport projects and traveler experience, including the way major grants are announced and implemented across U.S. gateways.
Regional impact and expected outcomes
CLT runway — core results
The CLT runway project is expected to deliver three main benefits once complete:
1. Increased capacity so the airport can handle more flights without stacking aircraft on the ground or in the air.
2. Fewer delays, helping airlines keep schedules and reducing missed connections for passengers.
3. More operational flexibility, improving safety and giving air traffic controllers more options during peak hours or poor weather.
RDU roadway expansion — core results
The roadway expansion to four lanes targets the airport’s busiest pinch point (the terminal curb and its approach roads). Expected benefits include:
– Improved traffic flow and safety for drivers, shuttles, and buses arriving and leaving terminals.
– Accommodation of higher passenger volumes as the Triangle region grows.
– Compliance with national standards for airport roadway design and access.
Implementation, timelines, and oversight
- Local airport authorities will oversee both construction efforts, with timelines and milestones set under each federal program’s grant conditions.
- Based on current planning, construction on the CLT runway and RDU roadway expansion is expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026, with completion timelines to be announced by the airports.
- Public updates are expected from each airport and from Senator Tillis’s office as projects move from design to construction and then to staged openings.
Project implementation will follow standard federal grant practice: defined scopes, scheduled milestones, procurement and bidding processes, and public communication as work advances. CLT and RDU will post construction updates and traveler notices through their official channels. Senator Tillis’s office will continue issuing statements and progress reports.
Expect public notices about lane changes, construction zones, and any temporary effects on flight or terminal access as projects progress.
Why this matters — stakeholders and benefits
Key stakeholders:
– Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) — advocated for federal support and framed the projects as smart investments for North Carolina’s economy and travelers.
– Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — administers AIP funds and monitors airport project compliance.
– U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) — manages BUILD awards and ensures projects meet federal standards.
– Local airport authorities and regional leaders — worked with federal partners and will manage project delivery.
Traveler benefits:
– Fewer flight delays at CLT due to added runway capacity.
– Smoother terminal access at RDU after curbside expansion.
– Greater schedule reliability for airlines and reduced curbside congestion for drivers, shuttles, and buses.
Economic and civic benefits:
– Expanded runway capacity at CLT supports future air service growth, benefiting business travel and cargo operations.
– Improved curbside access at RDU helps the airport handle peak times and holiday surges, supporting tourism and regional business activity.
Funding context and sequencing
- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (2021) has been central to expanding federal support for airport projects across the country.
- In North Carolina, that support manifests as a 10,000-foot runway at CLT and a curbside expansion from two to four lanes at RDU.
- Work sequencing includes design, environmental clearances where required, procurement, and construction under federal and local oversight through 2025 and 2026.
Where to find more information
- CLT and RDU will post official project details, construction updates, and traveler notices on their websites and administration channels.
- Senator Tillis’s office will continue to post statements and handle constituent inquiries through its Washington, D.C. office.
If you’d like, I can:
– Create a concise timeline graphic of expected milestones, or
– Produce a one-page summary suitable for a community newsletter highlighting impacts and travel tips during construction.
This Article in a Nutshell
Senator Tillis obtained $45M+ in 2025 federal grants for CLT and RDU. CLT’s $21.5M AIP funds a 10,000-foot runway; RDU’s $24M BUILD grant widens the roadway to four lanes, easing congestion, improving safety, and supporting regional growth starting late 2025 or early 2026.
