The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and Governor Jane Swift today announced that the Terminal B Parking garage will open to the public on Tuesday, January 15. The garage opening marks a milestone in the return of travelers and employees back to Logan International Airport. The Terminal B Garage, the most convenient parking facility at Logan, will open with several new security measures in place.

"I am delighted that the Terminal B parking garage is re-opening," said Swift. "This is proof that business is bouncing back at Logan and that our efforts to enhance security and improve customer confidence in Logan are working."

The garage is a favorite of business travelers and passengers using Terminal B, the busiest terminal at Logan, handling approximately 500 flights per day. Its location in the middle of the U-shaped terminal makes for a quick connection from car to ticket counter. Later this year, elevated moving walkways will connect Central Parking to Terminal B further enhancing parking options for travelers using Terminal B.

"Logan is getting back to business," said Acting Massport Executive Director Thomas. J. Kinton, Jr. "Travelers are returning to the skies, cars are filling the garage and employees are returning to work. The opening of the Terminal B Garage is sign of more good things to come."

The Terminal B Garage has been closed since September 12 when the FAA issued a security directive prohibiting parking within 300 feet of an airline terminal. Massport recently requested and received a waiver to park vehicles in the garage with increased security measures.

When the garage opens next week, travelers will be asked to open their trunks and the vehicles will be searched by parking staff. In addition to the searches, vehicles will be required to park front end in all parking spaces. Vehicles not parked front end in will be ticketed and towed. Vehicles parking in the garage may also be subject to random checks by State Police. Massport is also exploring the feasibility of using explosive detection equipment for checks at the garage.

To help handle the expected influx of vehicles, Massport has called back 26 parking employees to begin working next week. The employees will be deployed in the Terminal B Garage and the Central Garage. All employees will be trained by the State Police on how to conduct vehicle inspections.

In addition, State Police have been conducting roadblocks and random searches of vehicles three days a week at Logan. Each day the roadblock is in effect an average of 500 vehicles are searched.

For more information on parking at Logan log on to www.Massport.com or call 1-800-23-LOGAN.

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