The economy lot at Reagan National Airport is getting an upgrade: a new, three-story parking garage.
"Parking should be better,” traveler Pearl Butt said.
News4 spoke to travelers who say the upgrade is long overdue.
"It's difficult,” a traveler named Mike said. “There's no indication of where a free space may be, so you find yourself going up and down the aisles."
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
Construction on that garage does come with some inconvenience.
Because the new garage is being built on top of the existing economy lot, starting Monday, the airport will begin blocking off parking spots here to make space for the project.
At the peak of construction, about 1,100 of the lot’s 2,680 spaces will be unavailable.
News4 spoke to Ariel Tavernier, who travels twice a month. She says she may starting flying out of somewhere else.
"I travel a lot for work,” Tavernier said. “So, it's very important that I just be able to get to the airport quickly and park… I'm going to probably fly from Dulles now because I need to park easier.”
During construction, DCA leaders strongly recommend folks start reserving their parking spaces ahead of time online on flyreagan.com.
They say prices are cheaper online than if you pay in person.
Travelers will also have to keep in mind that only a limited number of spaces will be held for drive up customers. Drivers who don’t have a spot will be turned away.
"I would have to make sure I plan my parking because I came here,” Butt said.
There is a positive about this construction for some passengers News4 spoke to -- the new garage will keep people out of the elements.
"I'm happy that it will be covered parking for [when it’s raining],” Tavernier said. “I know were going to have snow, so I don't want to come back to a car with ice and all that on it.”
D.C. officials recommend that people take the Metro or a rideshare to avoid parking all together.
Construction on the new garage will go into the new year.
The project will be constructed by Kiwi Newton, an outside contractor, and cost about $40 million.
