JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT OPENS NEARLY 2,000 NEW PUBLIC PARKING SPACES AND A NEW GROUND TRANSPORTATION CENTER

Santa Ana, CA - John Wayne Airport officially opened the expanded East Parking Structure today presenting nearly 2,000 additional public parking spaces and a new Ground Transportation Center.

"The opening of these facilities is a milestone in continuing efforts by John Wayne Airport to ensure the most convenient traveling experience possible for our customers," said Interim Airport Director Loan Leblow.

The expansion of the East Parking Structure, located directly across the roadway from the terminal, was conducted in two phases. Construction of Phase One began in September of 1997. Upon completion in November of 1998, nearly 1,000 new parking spaces were open to the public to ease the busy holiday season. Construction of Phase Two began in September of 1998. Its recent completion added an additional 962 public parking spaces.

The expansion has increased public parking spaces adjacent to the terminal by 32%. Prior to construction, there were 4,221 public parking spaces in the structure. The expansion brought the new total to 6,183 spaces.

Taxis, door-to-door and courtesy shuttle services, and Airport buses are available from the Ground Transportation Center, located immediately across from the terminal. By consolidating these services, roadway congestion will be reduced and more curbside space will be available for drop-off and pick-up of travelers.

Parking rates in the structure will remain the same as prior to construction: $1 per hour or a maximum of $11 for each 24-hour period.

McCarthy Brothers Company of Newport Beach was the general contractor for this project. The Austin Company of Irvine prepared the design of the structure, while Teng Li and Associates provided structural engineering expertise.

The total construction cost of the project is estimated at $28.2 million. No financing was necessary as all funding was provided by reserves from the John Wayne Airport Operating Fund. No taxpayer dollars were spent on this project.