Starting this week, a significant construction project at Charlotte Douglas International Airport will lead to the closure of part of West Boulevard. The project, which aims to enhance safety by constructing a new taxiway, will last four months. During this period, traffic will be rerouted through designated detour routes. Upon completion, West Boulevard will undergo permanent realignment to accommodate the new taxiway, ensuring improved airport operations.

Construction Details and Impact on Traffic

The closure of West Boulevard is set to begin on Friday, January 3rd. This stretch of road, spanning approximately one mile between Steele Creek Road and Piney Top Drive, will remain closed for four months as crews work on the new taxiway. The project is part of the South End Taxiway initiative, crucial for the airport's Fourth Parallel Runway Program. This development aims to eliminate crossings of the center runway, thereby enhancing overall safety.

To mitigate the impact on local traffic, officials have established several detour routes. For local traffic, Byrum Drive can be used to travel between Steele Creek Road and Yorkmont Road, while Shopton Road provides an alternative route between Sandy Porter Road and Beam Road. Motorists coming from further south are advised to use West Arrowood Road to access Sandy Porter Road and South Tryon Street. To ensure safe navigation, traffic signals will be installed along these detour routes.

Future Plans and Benefits

Upon completion of the taxiway construction, West Boulevard will not reopen in its original configuration. Instead, it will be permanently realigned to accommodate the new taxiway. This realignment is essential to provide more efficient and safer operations at the airport. The changes are expected to streamline aircraft movements and reduce potential hazards associated with runway crossings.

The South End Taxiway project is a vital component of the broader Fourth Parallel Runway Program, which seeks to modernize and expand Charlotte Douglas International Airport. By improving infrastructure and operational efficiency, the project aims to enhance passenger experiences and support increased air traffic. Officials anticipate that these improvements will contribute significantly to the airport's capacity and safety standards, positioning it as a leading hub in the region.