San Antonio International Airport has announced a partial opening of

the two-tiered roadway system just in time for the holiday travel season. Several new and renovated portions

will open for public use November 5, 2009.

The newly opened two-tiered system marks the latest milestone of the airport expansion project. It also

commemorates the crossing of the 50 percent completion mark for the expansion. When complete, the

two-tired roadway will relieve congestion from the upper- level departure lanes and the lower-level arrival

and baggage claim area of the airport.

Along with the opening of the two-tiered roadway, come temporary changes to the lower roadway. The outer

lanes between Terminals 1&2 will be temporarily rerouted to the inner lanes of the new portions of the

roadway. This is anticipated to be in place until April 2010 to allow for the demolition of an older off ramp on

Level 2 of the roadway.

Airport officials are offering travelers several tips and ideas for the holiday travel season. With one being,

arrive early. With the increased volume of travelers during the holiday season there will be an increase in cars,

taxis and shuttle buses on the airport roadways. Please try and arrive 1.5 to 2 hours prior to your departure.

If it is necessary to meet someone at baggage claim, take advantage of the FREE 30 minutes of parking the

airport offers in the hourly parking lot. This allows you the time to pick up passengers that may not be familiar

with the airport or those passengers who need additional assistance.

There are several ways to relive congestion for yourself, and others at the airport. When picking up passengers,

use the free cell phone lot instead of circling the airport. The cell phone lot is located at the corner of

Airport Blvd. and Loop 410. Parking at the lot is FREE and also offers FREE Wi-Fi access to the public. Arriving

passengers can then call when they have arrived, and simply pick them up curbside in front of the terminal.

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