By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Construction of a 25-space, 10-minute free parking lot at Huntsville International Airport is now under way.
"Since we no longer are able to use the meters we once had due to enhanced security regulations, we've decided to remove them and create a safer, more convenient terminal front," said Rick Tucker, executive director of the Port of Huntsville.
Upon the completion of the construction in April, there will be 25, 10-minute free waiting stalls for vehicles.
Instead of circling while waiting for passengers to come outside the terminal for pickup, vehicles will be able to pull into a waiting slot. Tucker said a timer would begin counting 10 minutes once a vehicle has entered a stall.
"Due to security measures, the driver must stay with the vehicle at all times," Tucker said. "After 10 minutes, the vehicle must vacate the space."
Taxis and shuttles will be moved to the far side of the area outside of luggage claim, speed humps will be added to increase pedestrian safety to the parking deck, rental car lot and taxi and shuttle area. In addition, a huge canopy that will extend from the skywalk to the current crosswalk cover will cover the area for taxis, shuttles and waiting slots.
"The traffic flow will be changed to two wider driving lanes and a wide pickup and drop-off lane next to the curb," Tucker said. "We're updating our facility to be user friendly and convenient."