<B> Airport Improvements</B>
<I>Detroit</I> - Even as developers revitalize the downtown area, Motor City is investing substantially to improve Wayne County Detroit Metropolitan Airport. A $1.6 billion expansion, including construction of a 74-gate passenger terminal, will be completed in late 2001. The new terminal will feature an elevated people mover, retail areas, a new 7,000-space parking deck and other amenities.
At the same time, airport officials have implemented a $60 million interim program, which includes:
<ul><li>Hiring and training 15 uniformed greeters to help travelers with advice on gates and ground transportation
<li>A new Northwest Airlines international checkin and ticketing facility
<li>A six-gate extension to Concourse C, Northwest's busiest concourse
<li>Two new moving walkways, reducing long walks between gates
<li>New traffic lanes on the airport access road
<li>A rampside shuttle system that allows connecting passengers to avoid long walks and alleviates congestion in the connecting corridors.