Traveler Info: Construction Updates
We're improving and transforming the airport through our Journey With AUS program! Construction work in the terminal may be visible to passengers as we make improvements. Current terminal construction activities are below.
February 24-25, 2026: Overnight Roadway Closure for Rental Car Returns, Rideshare, Taxi Pickups & Blue Garage Exit
Project:
On the night of February 24 into the early morning of February 25, from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., the roadway serving rental car returns, rideshare pickups, taxi pickups, and the Blue Garage exit will be closed for construction work. This closure supports the construction of the Yellow Garage, one of the Journey With AUS program projects.
Activity:
During this overnight closure, drivers will be redirected to use the Red Garage entrance to access rental car return areas and passenger pickup locations. Airport staff will be positioned throughout the detour route to guide drivers, and temporary signage will be clearly posted.
Rental car return drivers should use the Red Garage entrance and follow detour signage and staff directions to reach the drop-off area.
Rideshare and taxi drivers heading to pick up passengers should use the Red Garage entrance and follow detour signage. The passenger pickup location remains the same—only the route to get there is changing.
Drivers exiting the Blue Garage should note that the existing overnight Blue Garage exit detour will remain in place during this closure. Traffic will continue to be redirected to the second floor, then down to the first floor, continuing along the right side of the first level, and exiting on the south side of the Blue Garage using the Red Garage toll booth.
**Please use caution, watch your speed, and follow all construction signage and staff directions during this overnight closure.**
Beginning January 7, 2026: Air Traffic Control Tower and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting employees will have a new route. Drivers will now turn left onto Metal Road instead of continuing on Emma Browning Avenue.
Project:
This new reroute for Air Traffic Control Tower and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting employees supports the construction of the New Midfield Taxiways, one of the Journey With AUS expansion program projects.
Activity:
Beginning January 7, Air Traffic Control Tower and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting employees will turn left onto Metal Road instead of continuing on Emma Browning Avenue.
There will be no changes to access the Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) or the South Terminal.
Please watch your speed and follow construction signage as you take this new route.
Beginning November 7, 2025: South Terminal Economy Lot will be closed and become exit only. It will be replaced with three South Terminal economy lots and a cell phone lot. Additionally, drivers going to the South Terminal will now turn left onto Metal Road to get to the South Terminal instead of continuing on Emma Browning Avenue.
Project:
Starting November 7, 2025, the South Terminal Economy Lot will close and be exit only. The South Terminal Economy Lot is being replaced with South Terminal Economy Lots 3, 4, and 5 and the South Terminal Cell Phone Lot. Cars parked in the South Terminal Economy Lot will need to be moved by 12:59 a.m. on December 7, 2025.
Additionally, travelers driving to the South Terminal will now turn left onto Metal Road to get to the South Terminal instead of continuing on Emma Browning Avenue.
Activity:
Passengers may continue to use the current South Terminal Economy Lot until November 6, 2025. On November 7, 2025, it will become exit only. Thirty days later, on December 6, 2025, the lot will fully close.
Beginning November 7, South Terminal travelers will use the new South Terminal Economy Lots 3, 4, and 5 to park. Shuttle service will be available to and from the new economy lots.
Additionally, the new South Terminal Cell Phone Lot will be open beginning November 7.
Passengers arriving and departing at the South Terminal should anticipate the changes and be prepared to move their car from the current South Terminal Economy Lot by December 6, 2025. If you are unable to do so, please contact SP+ at (512) 530-3300.
Week of November 3 - early 2026: Blue Garage Exit to Experience Overnight Closures
Project:
Starting in the early morning hours of the week of November 3, from 1 a.m. - 8 a.m., the Blue Garage exit ramp will be closed. The closure will occur while crews begin building a ramp for the Yellow Garage project. The closure is expected to last through early 2026.
Activity:
For employees and passengers who use the Blue Garage exit ramp overnight during this time, traffic will be redirected to the second floor, then down to the first floor, continuing along the right side of the first level, and exiting on the south side of the Blue Garage.
Passengers will use the Red Garage toll booth to exit.
Please use caution as you exit the Blue Garage during those times and follow detour signs that lead you to the first floor of the Blue Garage and to an alternative exit.
While the closure will not be in effect every night, we ask drivers to anticipate the change and be prepared for the detour.
Ongoing - 2026: Atrium Infill construction of the Departures and Arrivals levels of the Barbara Jordan Terminal
Project: The Atrium Infill project, part of the Journey With AUS expansion program, is underway to provide more space for security screening, bag check and passenger processing.
Activity: Construction walls and scaffolding are in place on the Departures and Arrivals levels of the Barbara Jordan Terminal to ensure passenger safety. Passengers may experience construction noises while work is being completed between 12 am - 8 am.
Ongoing - 2026: West Infill Temporary Stair Installation
Project: AUS is in the construction phase for three overlapping projects: the West Infill, the new Outbound Baggage Handling System and the new TSA Checkpoint 4.
Activity: From December 3, 2024 into 2026, a stairway providing access to airline clubs on AUS’s mezzanine level will be removed during construction to build the new TSA Checkpoint 4. Temporary stairs will be installed across from Gate 22, in front of the elevator. The elevator will be blocked from view by the temporary stairs, but it will remain open and operational during construction. See the elevator location on our interactive map for navigation assistance.
Ongoing - 2026: TSA Checkpoint 3 Closure & Partial Arrivals-Level Sidewalk Closure
Project: AUS is in the construction phase for three overlapping projects: the West Infill, the new Outbound Baggage Handling System and the new TSA Checkpoint 4.
The West Infill project adds more square feet to the Barbara Jordan Terminal for TSA Checkpoint 4, a new four-lane checkpoint with space for up to eight total lanes pending TSA requirements and needs. This project also creates more terminal space to enclose the new Outbound Baggage Handling System.
Activity: TSA Checkpoint 3 closed on Monday, February 6, 2024. All passengers can use TSA Checkpoints 1 and 2 East. Checkpoint 2 West is for TSA PreCheck and Clear passengers only. Checkpoint 2 West remains open until the last flight. This Checkpoint will accommodate all passengers after all other Checkpoints close.
Additionally, the sidewalk on the arrivals level of the terminal roadway is partially blocked with construction barricades. The westside baggage claim exit is closed and so is the crosswalk in front of the exit. The smoking area has moved across the street. Please follow all signage.
Terminal roadways will remain open and are not changed by the construction barricades.
August 2023 - Late 2026: West Gate Expansion
Project: Addition of 84,500 gross sq ft over three levels. 30,000 sq ft on the concourse level including a new 3rd level mezzanine and apron-level airline support space for new passenger amenities. Also included in the project scope are the replacement of 12 current gate boarding bridges and the creation of 3 new gates to offset gate closures during future expansion projects.
Activity: Starting August 2023 until project completion, estimated to be in 2026, passengers can expect to see construction activity with temporary walls and barriers. In late November, a large construction wall will be built along the wall between gates 33-34. Vending machines will eventually be placed against the wall to provide passengers with snack choices. I VINI restaurant kiosk will be closed permanently beginning January 2024.
Services
Owned and operated by the City of Austin, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is the second-fastest growing, mid-sized airport in the United States.