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Changes to Terminal Drive at SLC Airport may increase travel time for motorists

Posted at 5:02 PM, Sep 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-07 19:02:02-04

SALT LAKE CITY – Construction is underway at Salt Lake City International Airport and will continue for several years, but a big change took effect Wednesday.

The airport is essentially being rebuilt in a massive, multi-billion dollar project—the first phase of which will happen over the next four years.

While the impact on folks flying in and out of the airport is expected to be minimal, there will be delays for those traveling to and from the airport by ground vehicle.

"There's a substantial road change that took place this morning to Terminal Drive, and that's the road that leads into the airport,” said Nancy Volmer, a spokeswoman for Salt Lake City International Airport.

The substantial change comes in the form of a new detour on Terminal Drive that will be in place now through 2020.

"We have the road that will be turning south, making an extra one-third of a mile loop around before rejoining the current Terminal Drive, so it is a substantial change, and we want to make sure people are aware of it so they can allow extra time when they are coming to the airport to pick up or drop off passengers,” Volmer said.

The change went into effect Wednesday morning, and it is expected to remain in place over the next four years.

"And so at that point we'll have an elevated roadway, and we'll have one lane for pick-ups, one lane for drop-offs, and also another lane for TRAX passengers,” Volmer said.

The change is not expected to cause major impacts on traffic or serious delays, but Volmer said they want to make people aware of the change so they aren't confused the next time they drive to the airport.