SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento International Airport (SMF) broke ground Wednesday on its 5,500-space parking garage.
The Terminal B parking garage is a key component of SMF’s $1.3 billion capital program, aimed at upgrading the airport's infrastructure to meet the demands of increasing passenger traffic while enhancing customer comfort and accessibility, according to an airport news release. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2026.
The project will also reportedly support approximately 1,000 jobs during its construction, contributing to economic growth, the airport said. It will employ labor under a Community Workforce Training Agreement (CWTA) to reportedly try and create opportunities for the local workforce and support small businesses.
"The good news is we are adding over 5,000 new parking spots in a state-of-the-art parking garage," Myers said. "The downside is while that’s constructed, we are losing our hourly lot, which is about 700 spots. So on Oct. 1, no more hourly lot."
Other airport parking options nearby are the garage or daily lot.
Airport officials are asking that people get to their flights earlier two hours before their boarding time during construction. They recommend having a friend, family member or rideshare drop passengers to save time and avoid parking issues.
Myers said there's also an express bus from downtown to the airport at 9th & K streets, which takes about 30 minutes. It's SacRT Route 142.
Shuttles from the economy parking lots to the terminal run every 25-30 minutes, but if it's busy and the shuttles are full, passengers may have to wait for another, Myers said.
Parking lot capacity can be checked on the airport's website.
All these improvements are happening to accommodate all those traveling to and from SMF. Myers said they’re breaking travel records every month and are up 8% this year compared to 2019, which was the previous record year for travel.
Construction of a new pedestrian walkway is also underway near Terminal B.
The walkway will connect Terminal B with Concourse B. Currently, the airport uses the automated people mover to get people to and from those two spots. Airport spokesperson Lindsay Myers told ABC10 that it's not ADA-accessible and sometimes needs repairs due to its age.
The new pedestrian walkway will be about a quarter-mile long and feature escalators, moving sidewalks, and art. Myers said it’s set to open at the end of 2025.
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