LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As we head into the new year, the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock is set to receive some new changes.
State leaders and local officials all celebrated those changes during a groundbreaking ceremony held on Wednesday.
"We'll break ground on a new $4.1 million dollar canopy project that will shelter departing passengers from the elements as they exit curbside and enter the ticket lobby at our airport," said Steven Baker, the Executive Director for Clinton National Airport.
The brand-new canopy will include new lighting, signage, security, landscaping, and wheelchair accessibility.
"The mission is to ease the entry into what is a very hectic time for passengers as they arrive with loved ones and luggage and baby carts and strollers wheelchairs, to be able to get in at a more comfortable pace, a drier pace, so that when they get ready to get on the plane, they have not been battered by the elements," Baker said.
The canopy will provide a cover for travelers during those rainy or sunny days, and it is expected to be completed before the holidays next year.
As they look to begin construction at the beginning of 2025, officials have already made accommodations to ensure travels are not impacted.
"We're going to be down two lanes on the arrival curve, but we're going to be shifting some of that arrival traffic down to the end," he said. "So the people who are departing can use the outer lanes, come in on the outer lanes, drop off their loved ones or their passengers, and they can go into the airport."
There are also additional projects that officials are working on to continue the airport's plans to enhance the traveler experience and increase accessibility.
"They're expanding the taxiway and to ensure that we have more carriers to come to our airport, and more options, non-stop options, and more getaways here," said Mayor Frank Scott.