Anyone driving to Nashville International Airport on or after October 20 should look for a different route into the terminal parking garages.

Airport construction will close the familiar entrance to Terminal Garage 1, directing vehicles through Terminal Garage 2 instead.

That does not mean Garage 1 is closing to drivers who need a parking space.

Once inside Garage 2, travelers can reach Garage 1 using connections on parking Levels 2 through 6.

Drivers heading toward the original Garage 1 entrance should continue straight to the Garage 2 entrance and take a parking ticket as usual.

They can then choose either garage, using the connecting routes when necessary.

To leave Garage 1, follow signs toward Garage 2 and take the exit route down to Level P2.

Garage 1 parking tickets will be accepted at the Garage 2 payment exits.

Valet customers will continue using the existing rental car facility area for entry and exit during this construction phase.

Allowing a little additional time is a sensible precaution while drivers get used to the traffic pattern.

The airport says existing parking capacity will not shrink because of this adjustment.

Garage 1 still provides 4,366 covered spaces, while Garage 2 provides another 2,160.

The temporary configuration is part of the airport's broader New Horizon improvement program.

Construction includes a larger rental car facility with space for 4,700 vehicles and another parking structure planned for 3,000 vehicles.

These projects are intended to support airport growth, but construction can make familiar routes less intuitive in the meantime.

The key distinction for passengers is simple: Garage 1 parking remains available, even though its direct entrance does not.

Drivers dropping off or meeting travelers should also pay attention to airport signs rather than relying solely on an old routine.

For residents across Middle Tennessee, remembering the Garage 2 entrance before leaving home could make the next airport trip considerably smoother.