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New lots in different locations could prompt confusion
among unprepared travelers; reduce the holiday hassles
at McCarran by leaving your car at home.
Recent construction near McCarran
International Airport has produced some big changes that
will affect drivers hoping to park at the nation’s
sixth-busiest airport this holiday season.
From the relocated Russell Road to
the presence of new overflow parking lots, McCarran is
not the same airport holiday travelers visited a year
ago. To avoid confusion and potential congestion,
airport leaders are again urging travelers to “Get a
Ride” to McCarran during the busy Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year’s travel periods.
“We’re concerned that there will not
be enough parking available at McCarran during this peak
period,” said Randall H. Walker, director of the Clark
County Department of Aviation. “We’ve added three new
lots with nearly 7,000 spaces that were not here a year
ago. But much-needed airport construction has forced us
to close nearly 6,300 spaces used for holiday parking
last year. As airport traffic rises and more locals fly,
it’s more important than ever to leave your car home and
get a ride with a friend or relative whenever
possible.”
McCarran passenger traffic is up
nearly 5 percent compared with last year’s
record-setting pace. Looking ahead, the Department of
Aviation projects close to 800,000 travelers will pass
through McCarran from Wednesday, Nov. 21 through Monday,
Nov. 26, up nearly 7 percent from the same period a year
ago.
McCarran’s Long Term garage,
including Valet, is expected to fill quickly and remain
closed during most of the Thanksgiving weekend.
Approximately 3,000 spaces will be offered in the
Economy Lot, which is accessible off of Flight Path
Avenue (old Russell Road). When the garage and Economy
Lot are filled, drivers will then be directed to the new
Green Overflow Lot, which can be accessed off of
Paradise Road by turning west at the Kitty Hawk Way
traffic signal. Should the Green Lot fill, drivers will
next be sent to the Red Overflow Lot north of Tropicana
Avenue, and then the Blue Overflow Lot south of
Tropicana as needed.
Shuttles will run continuously
between Overflow parking areas and the airport’s
terminals. Travelers using these lots should set aside
at least 30 additional minutes to travel to or from the
airport. Domestic travelers are asked to arrive at
McCarran approximately two hours before their scheduled
departure time.
Short Term parking and
the passenger pick-up curb will also be busy. Before
coming to the airport to pick someone up, please check
their flight status by visiting
www.mccarran.com or calling 261-4636. Travelers with
personal digital assistants or “smart phones” can access
real-time flight information at
www.flymccarran.com.
For 24-hour parking
information, including updates on which lots are in use,
call (702) 261-5122.
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