Parking garage closure signals start of busy construction period

(Jan. 7, 2016) Heading to Tampa International Airport any time in the next six weeks? Take note: Parking in the Short and Long Term Garages will be limited due to construction on the airport expansion.

Beginning Jan. 7, two floors of the Short Term Garage were closed for construction. The closures will remain in place until about mid-February. During this time, workers will waterproof the garage entry and exit ramps, which will be partially enclosed as part of the terminal expansion.

The Airport has launched an extensive marketing and communications plan to educate passengers on the changes and what they should do when they visit.

All travelers are strongly encouraged to use the Economy Garage for just $10 a day. Drivers picking up guests should wait in the Cell Phone Lot until travelers are curbside and ready to leave the airport. Circling the terminal is not permitted. Overnight parking will not be available in the Short Term Garage.

“This project marks the start of one of the busiest periods in the airport’s three-year capital program,” said airport CEO Joe Lopano. “The first year involved largely site preparation, and the last year we’ll be finishing build-out of internal spaces. This year, we’re going vertical at the rental car center, installing the guideway for the people mover and opening more than 30 of our 65 new shops and restaurants.”

Overall, more than 1,000 construction workers are expected to work on-airport every day in January and February. Meanwhile, the airport is seeing strong passenger numbers and growth that continues to beat expectations.

October and November saw record or near record passengers compared to the same period in 2014. Holiday traffic was about 8 percent higher in 2015 than in 2014.

Get construction updates and travel advisories at www.TampaAirport.com/masterplan or follow the airport on Twitter and Instagram @FlyTPA or on the airport’s Facebook page.

For a behind the scenes tour of the construction sites, visit the Airport’s YouTube channel.