ABIA continues to build

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has been under construction, and a recent blog post provided some updates. First, work has begun to enlarge and improve the entry and exit parking plazas. The renovations are intended to make for a more efficient experience at the parking garages and economy lots B-G. The number of lanes at the north exit plaza, which services all of the economy parking lots and the new 6,000-space parking garage that is under construction, will increase from five to 10. A new parking administration building will be located there as well. Also, “a new rental car facility is under construction and a new entry to the parking garages will expand from four lanes to six lanes. The new entry plaza for economy parking is under construction. It will continue to be four lanes and accessible from (Presidential Boulevard).” Finally, the east apron expansion is adding 59,000 square yards of operational space to the Barbara Jordan Terminal, and a 14-foot high “jet blast fence” has been added to a new retaining wall there, which “deflects fast moving heated air created by jet engines. This protects airport assets and personnel from potential damage that could occur from the jet blast or airborne debris.”