McGhee Tyson Airport is striving to reinstate regular travel on Airport Loop Road following the detection of a sinkhole at the rear section of the parking garage on June 12.
The Knoxville airport has permanently shut down a section of the roadway due to ongoing efforts by construction teams to fill a pothole. Airport officials are currently developing alternative paths for passengers to use.
The sinkhole developed around 6:30 p.m. at the site previously occupied by the rental car return and the Phone and Wait parking lot. These facilities were relocated from the area as part of an
airport construction project
, said Becky Huckaby, the airport’s vice president of human relations.
Huckaby mentioned that the sinkhole has neither caused damage nor changed the appearance of the curb area at the front of the terminal where vehicles come for passenger pickups and drop-offs.
“We are developing an alternate route and have deployed staff across the airport to assist travelers with navigating the roads,” she informed Knox News.
Motorists entering and exiting the airport will have alternative paths available. According to Huckaby, the airport plans to post these routes on their social media platforms as well as on their official website.
flyknoxville.com
.
McGhee Tyson is recommending travelers arrive three hours prior to their flight. Because it’s peak travel season, the airport was already suggesting before the sinkhole that travelers arrive two hours early.
She mentioned, ‘This will only add more time,’ adding that it’s the maximum required. However, once the alternate routes are established, which should be very soon, this issue will be resolved.’
The airport disclosed information about the sinkhole in a Facebook update posted on June 12, promising to keep providing further developments as they unfold.
Keenan Thomas
Reports for the Knox News business expansion group. Contact him via email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
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The article was initially published in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Observe the sinkhole at the McGhee Tyson Airport leading to road closures, and anticipate potential delays.
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