Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is expanding its infrastructure with the construction of a new parking garage dubbed the Yellow Garage. The groundbreaking ceremony for this project, which took place recently, signifies a significant upgrade to the airport's capacity and traveler experience. When completed in 2027, the new structure will provide around 7,000 parking spaces, according to official announcements from the airport.
In a statement obtained by City of Austin's news releases, City Manager T.C. Broadnax expressed his enthusiasm over the addition of the new parking facility, stating, "This new garage significantly enhances the AUS traveler experience. It provides a state-of-the-art parking solution, ensuring convenient on-site parking." With features like intelligent parking systems, quick automatic toll gates, and improved accessibility, the Yellow Garage is anticipated to boost the overall functionality of the airport.
The incoming Yellow Garage will replace the current Red Garage, which is slated to be demolished as part of a broader plan to expand the Barbara Jordan Terminal. AUS CEO Ghizlane Badawi conveyed the importance of the project in the broader vision of the airport, citing the construction of the new garage as a "critical step forward, bringing us closer to breaking ground on modernized front-of-house experience for all passengers."
The overall Journey With AUS expansion program has been moving forward swiftly, with Mayor Kirk Watson highlighting past milestones like the West Infill Expansion and the Midfield Taxiways. He also emphasized that the improvements to the International Arrivals are set to be completed later this year, which will greatly reduce wait times for international travelers. Watson said, "In just the past year, we’ve broken ground on major projects like the West Infill Expansion and Midfield Taxiways."
Funding for this massive project comes from a mix of the airport's cash reserves, current and future airport revenues, and future revenue bond proceeds, adding up to an authorized $15 million for design and $250 million for construction. The project requires no local City of Austin tax dollars, nor does it rely on private financing. The Yellow Garage will be built in phases, delivering an initial 3,000 spaces by 2026 to meet parking demands during the phased demolition of the Red Garage and other ongoing projects.
Mitigation efforts have been made to reduce the impact on travelers, with new surface lot parking already added and additional lots under construction. With local contractors and suppliers at the helm, the project not only upgrades the airport facilities but also contributes to Austin's local economy. Austin Commercial, along with designer PGAL, are named as the prime contractor and designer for the project. For more details on project updates, travelers can visit the Journey With AUS program page provided by the airport.
