Steamboat Pilot & Today

As construction continues at Yampa Valley Regional Airport, airport officials are reminding travelers that parking areas and road closures continue to change.

This week, construction shut down a portion of Routt County Road 51A, and a detour was made through the airport's parking lot. The entrance and exit to the parking lot remain open, and people who wish to continue along C.R. 51A past the airport will be rerouted through the airport's parking lot.

This summer, Routt County began its $13.6 million improvement project at YVRA. Aug. 8 marked the beginning of the $8.1 million groundwork portion of the project. The county intends to improve parking and roads at the airport before winter. Next spring, work is scheduled to begin on runway and apron improvements.

Part of the construction plans include paving and expanding the parking areas. To do so, the parking areas have to be shuffled around, and parking space will be reduced.

Interim Airport Manager Ann Copeland said the airport's long-term parking has moved from its usual spot just west of the terminal to an area farther west toward the airport's entrance.

She said travelers should continue to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before their flights.

"They are going to have a little hike to get to the terminal that they didn't have in the past," Copeland said.

The 30-minute parking area, which formerly was directly in front of the terminal building, has been moved farther east, Copeland said. The drop-off and pick-up area continues to be in front of the airport.

Long-term parking continues to be free during construction, but Copeland urges passengers to get dropped off and picked up at the airport because of the limited parking area. If travelers must leave a vehicle at the airport, airport officials will find places for them to park, Copeland said.

"We will find you a place to park, but we are trying to encourage whoever can (get a ride) to get a ride," Copeland said.

Copeland urges those who are leaving their vehicles at the airport for more than a week to be sure to park in the far west lot and to read the signs. The airport already has towed 16 cars that were blocking construction efforts in the old parking lot.

"We are trying not to move cars. We are trying to work with the public and give them a heads up," Copeland said.

With crews working 12 hours a day and five days a week, construction is a little ahead of schedule, Copeland said.