Garage maintenance project under way at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City

A maintenance project on two of the parking garages at Will Rogers World Airport will reduce the spaces available for travelers starting this week and continuing through the holidays.

The $3.8 million rehabilitation project will take place in garage A, the two-story garage that has hourly parking on the top level and rental cars on the lower level, and garage B, the older five-level garage just to the north. There will be about 300 parking spaces unavailable during the project, which could last 18 months.

Karen Carney, an airport spokeswoman, said Restek, the contractor, will complete the work in 12 phases to minimize the number of parking spaces affected at a time. But it could be frustrating to people when they see areas of the garage blocked off, especially during the busy holiday travel season.

It will be inconvenient. But what we want to reinforce is we are trying to keep as much parking available as possible, she said.

During some of the project, hourly parking will be moved to the bottom of garage C, the new five-story garage north of garage B, farthest from the terminal. People still will be able to take the tunnel into the airport, and parking prices will remain the same, including the first hour free, she said.

What's happening

Workers will be repairing the concrete and adding a weatherproofing sealant in both garages, upgrading the electrical system and installing new LED light fixtures, replacing an exterior staircase and demolishing a couple of unused rooms.

Need for the maintenance work was evident during a recent thunderstorm, when rain could be seen dripping into the lower-level parking areas. It's especially bothersome to the rental car companies, which park freshly washed, ready-to-rent vehicles in the garage and find them splattered with rain runoff after a storm, said Don Jones, airport facility manager.

The staircase is 11 years old and rusted after being exposed to the elements, especially de-icing material in the winter. The waterproofing membranes in the parking garages are eight to 10 years old and due for replacing, he said.

It's basically just time to redo it, Jones said.

While the project is under way, airport visitors will have full access to garage C, the newest five-level parking garage, as well as the two shuttle lots and a third lot on Amelia Earhart Lane.

Ampco Parking Systems, the airport's parking operator, will have extra staff available to help people find a place to park, Carney said.

She stressed the importance of arriving early for a flight to ensure travelers have enough time to park.