The landscape of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) is embarking on a transformative journey, breaking ground on the new Yellow Garage, a multilevel parking structure anticipated to house some 7,000 vehicles, as reported by FOX 7 Austin. This venture dovetails with the city of Austin's broader objectives to cater to an expanding populace and burgeoning traveler demand.
This undertaking not only promises a considerable augmentation of approximately 2,000 additional parking spaces to ABIA's current 18,010 but also heralds the introduction of a pedestrian bridge, EV charging stations, and a parking guidance system utilizing red and green lights to denote space availability; construction is slated for completion in 2027, with an initial phase introducing 3,000 spaces as early as 2026, in stride with the airport's commitment to ensuring a seamless customer experience amid ongoing expansion efforts, FOX 7 Austin detailed the project spanning seven floors and encompassing a staggering 2.5 million square feet.
Funding for the Yellow Garage's design and construction, as stated by FOX 7 Austin, has been sanctioned to the tune of $15 million and $250 million respectively, sourced from a combination of airport cash reserves, revenues, and the prospect of future bond proceeds, a fiscal strategy underscored by the assurance that this financial burden would not fall upon local taxpayers but rather those utilizing the airport facilities.
"With that growth comes a significant responsibility. That responsibility is to ensure that our infrastructure keeps pace with the needs of our residents and our visitors," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed in a FOX 7 Austin interview, reflecting on the airport's trajectory of accommodating record-breaking passenger numbers as Austin lures millions of visitors annually.
ABIA's enhancements extend beyond mere parking solutions, boasting intelligent parking systems, automatic toll gates and roadway realignment set to enhance accessibility and efficiency surrounding the airport, per KVUE. The Yellow Garage will eventually usurp the current Red Garage, making room for an ambitious new Arrivals and Departures Hall, which could commence operations by 2030 according to a report by KVUE.
As part of ABIA's "The Journey With AUS" expansion program, the projected vision for the Yellow Garage and the terminal’s transformation is clear, with Austin-Bergstrom International Airport CEO Ghizlane Badawi asserting to KVUE, "This new garage is a key investment in delivering a smooth and efficient experience for our passengers and serves as cornerstone of ABIA's long-term vision for world class airport," indicating future strides toward a modernized passenger experience.
