Brand-New Third Curbside Open at OAK

-- Improved access and reduced congestion --

A brand-new third curbside at Oakland International Airport (OAK) opened to customers and ground transportation providers today, improving access and easing traffic congestion in front of both terminals. Ground transportation operators relocated to the third curbside from the second curbside, which closed immediately for reconstruction. An exception is a small portion of the second curbside that will remain open for Valet parking drop-off and pick-up.

The reconstructed third curbside, part of a multi-phase project designed to improve the airport experience for pedestrians and motorists, will now be served by taxis and shuttles for AirBART, on-airport parking, door-to-door on-demand and employee parking, with stops conveniently located across from Terminals 1 and 2. Highlights of the third curbside project include:

- New curbside canopies, numerous benches and improved signage, all designed to improve the experience for waiting customers;

- Elevated grade bringing curbside to the same level as adjacent roadways and second curbside, eliminating stairs and pedestrian ramps that previously separated them and improving ADA-access;

- Increased curbside for ground transportation passenger drop-off and pick-up; and

- Improved lighting of ground transportation drop-off and pick-up areas.

Upon opening of the third curbside, the second curbside and its associated traffic lanes closed immediately for reconstruction. The premium Valet parking service, located between Terminals 1 and 2, will continue to operate from the second curbside until further notice. Customers will continue to access the Valet drop-off area from the traffic lanes located adjacent to the first curbside.

"Ground transportation users and operators at Oakland International Airport will enjoy a dramatic increase in customer service with the opening of the third curbside," said Port of Oakland Director of Aviation Steve Grossman. "The Roadway and Curbside Project is designed to ease vehicle and pedestrian congestion on airport roadways and terminal curbsides and we are pleased to open this important part of our multi-phase project."

Taxis and AirBART shuttles will relocate back to the second curbside upon completion of reconstruction. A new fourth curbside opened in August 2006 and is served by shuttles for rental car, hotel and off-airport parking.

Other recently completed phases of the Roadway and Curbside Project include:

- Inbound Airport Drive reconstruction, realignment and removal of the traffic lights at the Neil Armstrong Drive intersection;

- John Glenn Drive (service road running parallel to inbound Airport Drive) realignment, widening to two-lanes to support commercial and cargo truck operations, and addition of on-ramp that allows traffic approaching the terminals from Bay Farm Island in Alameda via Ron Cowan Parkway and from the FREE Park & Call lot to directly join inbound Airport Drive; and

- Edward White Way (service road running parallel to outbound Airport Drive) realignment and widening to support commercial and cargo truck operations.

The Roadway and Curbside Project is part of OAK's $300 million Terminal Improvement Program, begun in 2004, which is designed to add convenience, security and customer service to the travel experience by using "green building" technology. In Terminal 2, the program includes the recently opened seven-gate concourse, baggage claim, passenger screening area and in-line explosives detection baggage screening system. By summer 2007, expanded ticketing, a food court and shopping area will open. Once completed in 2008, the program will comfortably accommodate the needs of OAK's over 14 million annual passengers.

OAK has over 200 flights a day on 12 domestic and international carriers to 40 nonstop destinations, including Atlanta, Boston, Fort Lauderdale, the Hawaiian Islands, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Mexico and seasonal service to the Azores (Portugal), Sun Valley, Idaho and Vancouver.

Oakland International Airport is a revenue division of the Port of Oakland, an independent department of the city of Oakland. OAK has served the travel needs of San Francisco Bay Area residents and visitors for 80 years. Visit oaklandairport.com for more information.

-OAK-