Commuters and travelers relying on McGhee Tyson Airport will now need to reconsider their parking options as the airport permanently closed its surface lot, positioned near the terminal, to lay the groundwork for an extensive parking garage expansion and terminal roadway improvements. WVLT reported the closure occurred Wednesday, marking the commencement of construction projects that are pegged to enhance the airport's parking capacity significantly by providing 3,500 additional spots once completed.
Although the surface lot has shuttered, those who parked there before November 1st can keep their vehicles in place, however moving forward airport patrons will need to utilize alternative parking arrangements including the existing garage and Lots A, B, and C; despite this relocation inconvenience, the airport aims to mitigate impact by offering more parking in the long-term which is seen as a necessary step considering the airport, amid rising travelers expects to surpass 3 million passengers this year for the first time, according to a statement obtained by Knox News.
Further to the expanded parking, the initiative will include terminal roadway improvements, with an explicit encouragement from airport officials for travelers to visit their website prior to arrival for updates on parking and flight information WBIR shared.
The much-anticipated construction has an early 2027 end date, it involves a groundbreaking $185 million parking structure, this project not only represents the most costly in the airport's history but also signifies an investment into the infrastructure to support a swelling number of travelers which, according to last year's figures, encompasses a leap from 2,495,737 in 2022 to 2,835,773, marking a record high Knox News detailed.
