5 October 2024
To combat snarled traffic on the curb of Terminal 2 at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, officials have added a free express lane for drivers that allows pickup and drop-off from the Purple Ramp parking garage that has skyway access to the terminal.
It is the latest effort by the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which owns and operates the airport, to make airport access run smoother in light of increased travel.
Last November, in anticipation of an increase in travelers, the commission opened up a second cellphone lot, where drivers can wait to pick up travelers.
The new East Cell Phone Waiting Lot on the south side of Post Road can hold 100 vehicles and is less than a quarter-mile from the original 40-vehicle lot, known as the West Cell Phone Waiting Lot.
“We recognize that vehicle congestion at peak travel times can be a challenge for those picking up or dropping off passengers, especially at Terminal 2 where there’s limited curb space,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the commission. “We’ve reconfigured the parking facility to offer an additional loading zone with free, easy in-easy out access that should minimize overall congestion and ultimately reduce travel times.”
The travel surge was marked by a string of record-setting months at Terminal 2, which serves Sun Country and six other airlines. In March, the terminal set an all-time record high with 711,612 passengers going through the terminal that month.
The increase in travel means that during peak times there could be as many as 800 vehicles in front of the terminal each hour, officials said.
The new Terminal 2 Express Lane is free and available 24 hours a day.
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