Hobby Airport set to debut new garage ahead of holiday travel
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- In the next 24 hours, Hobby International Airport will open a new parking garage, making nearly 1,000 more parking spots available to holiday travelers.
"Without this new garage, we'd have less than 2,900 spaces of parking available at the terminal. Which means it would fill up really quickly. Once we get all the final approvals and this opens up later today or probably tomorrow, you're going to get more than 900 spots there," said Bill Begley with Houston International Airport.
Nearly 18,000 people are expected to fly out of Hobby on Wednesday. Millions more will depart through the end of December. Workers are hoping more parking availability means less stress for travelers.
The $55 million new parking wing is part of a bigger $156 million West Concourse project.
Once completed in spring 2016, the new garage will have many new features, including an automated parking guidance system that shows open spaces using single-stall overhead LED indicators. A green light is emitted for an available space, a red light for a space already occupied.
"This new parking garage will not only address the capacity needs associated with the unprecedented growth being experienced at Hobby Airport, but it will also represent a significant customer service enhancement," said Ian Wadsworth with Houston Airport Systems in a press release. "With an air-conditioned walkway and user friendly space locator system, the new garage will offer guests a comfortable and efficient parking experience."
