NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — You may remember the first time you took Robin Hood Road into Norfolk International Airport. You may also remember feeling like you made a wrong turn somewhere and ended up behind the scenes.

Mark Perryman, president and CEO of the Norfolk Airport Authority, said the wrap-around road was designed before the airport grew to the size it is now.

“This roadway system was really designed for traffic back in the 70s,” Perryman said. “So, not a lot has happened to the roads since then.”

Now, changes are coming. A new road will cut straight through the site of an inactive runway.

“So, we’re going to close that [runway], bring Robin Hood Road straight across and it will end up in this brand new intersection that we’re building,” Perryman said. “It’ll be a normal four-way intersection that has all the lights and signalization. It will have a brand new ‘Welcome to ORF’ sign.”

Virginia-based Branch Civil, Inc., will serve as the primary contractor for the $21.7 million project. That includes $17.3 million in grants from the federal government.

Construction begins this week and is planned to be finished in one year.

“It’ll be a little complicated and a little dicey during construction, Perryman said. “We’ll have maintenance of operations and turns and all that built into it.”

The project does include the removal of some trees, but the team said it is working with the city’s arborist to make sure Norfolk International maintains the beautiful foliage that it’s known for.

“We’re not just going off and cutting trees, bare earth here,” Perryman said. “We’re doing it very methodically and with a lot of thought behind it.”

This is part of a major renovation effort at Norfolk International Airport. Click here for updates.