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McGhee Tyson Airport closes part of long-term parking to build new garage

The Alcoa Planning Commission is set to vote on another expansion of economy parking to ease the summer travel rush.

ALCOA, Tenn. — The Alcoa Planning Commission is considering a plan to expand economy parking at McGhee Tyson Airport amid lot closures and high passenger levels at the airport. 

Airport leaders closed the outdoor lots in long-term parking to build a new parking garage. The closure removed 750 spots near the airport.

Becky Huckaby, the McGhee Tyson Airport Vice President of Public Relations, said airport leadership opened a new economy lot to offset the parking lost by the closure. Economy Lot C has 1,000 new spots, Huckaby said. Travelers would have to take a shuttle from that lot to the airport, Huckaby said. 

The Alcoa Planning Commission is considering a proposal to add 500 more spots to lot C. It was before the commission earlier in March. Commissioners deferred it to next month, said Jeremy Pearson, the city planner. 

"The deferral allows time for the planning commission to be presented with the latest and greatest plan set for their formal review and approval of the overall layout in its final form, which includes vehicular and pedestrian circulation and a separate access to and from Flagship Knoxville Drive," Pearson said in an email. 

Huckaby said the airport hoped to have the additional spots added to lot C by this summer. 

The new parking garage would add 3,500 spots to McGhee Tyson Airport, Huckaby said. She said it could be ready in 2026. 

Airport leaders stress that travelers should check the McGhee Tyson Airport website for updated parking availability.  

The airport saw a record number of travelers in 2023. 

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