Shuttle vans must now park in a designated area at Sitka’s airport instead of picking up passengers directly in front of the airport.
Sam Dapcevich is a Public Information Officer for the Alaska Department of Transportation. He said part of the goal is to relieve pressure on the crowded active loading zone.
“The active loading and unloading lane is getting a bit clogged up,” Dapcevich said. “Vehicles are trying to use the adjacent turn lane for loading and unloading.”
He said the change will make the area safer and help keep the airport in line with federal regulations.
“We’re required to follow federal regulations and we can’t allow cars to to back up in that area,” he said. “It’s also dangerous for pedestrians trying to get to and from the parking area.”
Dapcevich said if the designated shuttle zone is full, drivers should still avoid the active loading zone.
“If that area does run out of space, we would expect the shuttle drivers to look for a spot in short term parking,” he said.
The change is effective today (5-29-24) and applies only to van shuttles, not buses. You can read more about Sitka’s airport parking here.
