Omaha Eppley Airfield - DISCUSSION

[NEDodger]

Groundbreaking video

doesn't seem all that groundbreaking to me. I've seen videos like this a hundred times.

*rimshot*

[flick70]

So...they built a box and hauled dirt in to "break". Don't they have to deconstruct that and haul it out. Sounds counter-productive to me.

[Mr.Nuke]

So...they built a box and hauled dirt in to "break". Don't they have to deconstruct that and haul it out. Sounds counter-productive to me.

It is called a "ceremonial" groundbreaking for a reason...

[Brad]

So...they built a box and hauled dirt in to "break". Don't they have to deconstruct that and haul it out. Sounds counter-productive to me.

It is called a "ceremonial" groundbreaking for a reason...

Also, where they are actually doing demo is in the secure area between the two terminals. Its probably easier to do this outside the fence somewhere.

[GenX]

So...they built a box and hauled dirt in to "break". Don't they have to deconstruct that and haul it out. Sounds counter-productive to me.

It is called a "ceremonial" groundbreaking for a reason...

Also, where they are actually doing demo is in the secure area between the two terminals. Its probably easier to do this outside the fence somewhere.

It would have been funny to see Mean Jean using a backhoe with a jackhammer attachment digging into the tarmac.

[almighty_tuna]

So...they built a box and hauled dirt in to "break". Don't they have to deconstruct that and haul it out. Sounds counter-productive to me.

It is called a "ceremonial" groundbreaking for a reason...

Also, where they are actually doing demo is in the secure area between the two terminals. Its probably easier to do this outside the fence somewhere.

It would have been funny to see Mean Jean using a backhoe with a jackhammer attachment digging into the tarmac.

I would watch this groundbreaking every time.

[Renovator2559]

Just saw a friend post that parking is essentially full at Eppley. Park and Go is reservation only.

That's odd because I didn't have any issues finding a parking spot in the south garage and right now, many spots are open.

Also, more progress seen for the construction projects at Eppley.

The first picture is of the South side of the current south terminal



North facing side of the current south terminal





There appears some large cement sewer pipes being laid.







Also, it is nice that while you wait in the baggage claims area, several video clips informing passengers of the airport expansion projects, play.

[NEDodger]

They need to have banners and stand-alone signs in walkways talking up this expansion, at least by the time the Berkshire convention takes place.

1.) It explains why there's a mess everywhere
2.) Get visitors excited about what's happening

[skinzfan23]

Thanks for the photos and updates.

[Stargazer]

How'd this shot get missed?

[Bob from Omaha]

It's being held up with a twist tie or a zip tie?

[Mr.Nuke]

They need to have banners and stand-alone signs in walkways talking up this expansion, at least by the time the Berkshire convention takes place.

1.) It explains why there's a mess everywhere
2.) Get visitors excited about what's happening

Eh, that will work itself out. Either Buffett lives and the people will come back next year regardless or he doesn't and they won't. I haven't flown for about 6 weeks but even then the signage was fairly well marked from inside of the terminal i.e. you can't go out this door right now, go this way for the rideshares, etc. They've honestly handled everything very well so far to this point, and I have no reason to doubt they won't do so going forward.

[NEDodger]

They need to have banners and stand-alone signs in walkways talking up this expansion, at least by the time the Berkshire convention takes place.

1.) It explains why there's a mess everywhere
2.) Get visitors excited about what's happening

Eh, that will work itself out. Either Buffett lives and the people will come back next year regardless or he doesn't and they won't. I haven't flown for about 6 weeks but even then the signage was fairly well marked from inside of the terminal i.e. you can't go out this door right now, go this way for the rideshares, etc. They've honestly handled everything very well so far to this point, and I have no reason to doubt they won't do so going forward.

I didn’t mean just specifically for Berkshire visitors, but that it’d be nice to really push the great news about the upgrades sooner rather than later.

[Greg S]

Parking today:

[Bob from Omaha]

1) Should have gone higher with the garages. Too late.
2) New garage replacing north economy?
3) Fill in Carter Lake and make a big a s s garage?

[Louie]

1) Should have gone higher with the garages. Too late.
2) New garage replacing north economy?
3) Fill in Carter Lake and make a big a s s garage?

This is just a temporary change per construction, no?

[damonhynes]

1) Should have gone higher with the garages. Too late.

FAA said no, perraps?

[Brad]

How many people actually use the garage? We always park at Budget down on Locust.

[ita]

How many people actually use the garage? We always park at Budget down on Locust.

Apparently a ton. Seriously though, the couple last times we've parked for week long trips, we did the roof top in the garage. A couple advantages, particularly for a family with young kids, including not having to wait around for the shuttle. Our most recent trip last month, we had to be at the airport at before 5 AM, so being able to park at the garage and just take an elevator down and walk across was nice. Plus, the price difference is relatively minor between the rooftop and canopy.

[Renovator2559]

I park in the covered north or south garage most of the time, then it's a quick 7 minute to home.
Can't imagine having to drive long distances like in LA or Denver, which many complain.
I just love how Eppley is flanked by the river and multiple state border crossings .
Does anyone know if there are other airports besides eppley, which are right next a state border?

[Louie]

Portland's is very similar to ours along the river, you don't cross state lines to reach it, though. Cincinnati's is in a completely different state.

[NEDodger]

How many people actually use the garage? We always park at Budget down on Locust.

I will if it’s short-term and there’s bad weather in the forecast.

[Louie]

How many people actually use the garage? We always park at Budget down on Locust.

I will if it’s short-term and there’s bad weather in the forecast.

We use it when we don’t uber there.

[Bob from Omaha]

Portland's is very similar to ours along the river, you don't cross state lines to reach it, though. Cincinnati's is in a completely different state.

LaGuardia and JFK in New York are both next to water. A friend who is a pilot says landing at LaGuardia at night is similar to landing on an aircraft carrier. Boston Logan also.

[Mr.Nuke]

This is just a temporary change per construction, no?

Temporary in the sense of another year... There presently isn't any parking on the first level of the South garage due to it all being used for ride share pick ups, and arrival/departure traffic. That will continue to be the case for about another year. So the airport is probably down several hundred garage spots right now. With that said, even when the terminal drive is done, you are still going to presumably keep the ride share pickup drop off going through the garage which will take up about 3 rows of parking. That should roughly revert to the last pre terminal drive construction setup for that garage.

How many people actually use the garage? We always park at Budget down on Locust.

Quite a few... As of 9 p.m. on a random Wednesday night 4,357 spots are occupied. 3,908 spots are currently occupied on on airport parking surface lots. Obviously if you throw in off airport parking: Park N Go, and Budget the surface lots are probably winning out overall, but that is still a fairly significant % share using the garage. Even tonight when there won't be anymore people parking (obviously some will leave on late flights) all of the garage parking is under 10% availability. There are a lot of people that are willing to pay the premium for convenience to the terminal, and or protected parking, or have expense accounts, etc..

[nebugeater]

How many people actually use the garage? We always park at Budget down on Locust.

I always do when I use parking.

Shorter trips, park in the garage

Longer trips arrange for drop off / pick up one way or another

[halgy]

You know what would help alleviate overcrowding of the parking garages? Functional public transit to the airport.

I'll keep dreaming of a non-stop spur of the streetcar out there, but failing that any decent bus service that operates all day long would be much appreciated.

[nebugeater]

You know what would help alleviate overcrowding of the parking garages? Functional public transit to the airport.

I'll keep dreaming of a non-stop spur of the streetcar out there, but failing that any decent bus service that operates all day long would be much appreciated.

So, if that is the solution, what percentage of air travel comes from a base that will access the streetcar route? I am guessing it is very small.

[skinzfan23]

We are flying out in July and usually I get dropped off but this time the whole family is going. The flight leaves at 7am so it will be pretty early. (I remember last year leaving on a early flight and thinking we could get there just a little bit before the flight left. Long story short, security lines were super long and we made the flight by 5 min....don't want to do that again)

My question, do the shuttles to the south economy lot run a regular basis? How long do you usually have to wait for them?

[Mr.Nuke]

My question, do the shuttles to the south economy lot run a regular basis? How long do you usually have to wait for them?

Yes. Not Long. You can also track them online to see for yourself right now or anytime. i.e. as of right now they're running 4 busses at 8:50 a.m. from the South lot and pretty much one is always headed towards the terminal.
https://eppleyairfield.ridesystems.net/routes/9/stops

[Brad]

My question, do the shuttles to the south economy lot run a regular basis? How long do you usually have to wait for them?

I have never had to wait more than 5 min for the shuttle to the Budget lot. They usually have at least 2 running.

[skinzfan23]

My question, do the shuttles to the south economy lot run a regular basis? How long do you usually have to wait for them?

Yes. Not Long. You can also track them online to see for yourself right now or anytime. i.e. as of right now they're running 4 busses at 8:50 a.m. from the South lot and pretty much one is always headed towards the terminal.
https://eppleyairfield.ridesystems.net/routes/9/stops

Thanks for that. I just wanted to make sure that traveling with kids, everything goes as smoothly as possible. Thankfully we are headed to Jamaica, to a Beaches resort, so we should have no problem relaxing!

[Greg S]

How many people actually use the garage? We always park at Budget down on Locust.

I will if it’s short-term and there’s bad weather in the forecast.

I have parked on the top of the garage. It used to be cheaper. Would still do it on shorter trip, or if very very early flight or late one getting back. I mostly do north lot next to garages or Park and Go. I have been traveling more and more lately and have noticed that parking is getting tighter and tighter. I now add a little time to accommodate it.

Greg

[nativeomahan]

Does anyone know if there are other airports besides eppley, which are right next a state border?

The Tijuana international airport literally borders the California state line. Many if not most of its customers walk over the border before or after their flights.

[nativeomahan]

You know what would help alleviate overcrowding of the parking garages? Functional public transit to the airport.

I'll keep dreaming of a non-stop spur of the streetcar out there, but failing that any decent bus service that operates all day long would be much appreciated.

That’s exactly how we get to and from Chicago Midway airport. We use the orange line “L” train that takes you from the terminal directly to the Loop with no train change necessary. A great way to access downtown hotels. I would think that downtown Omaha hotel operators would love to have a bus route that looped through downtown to pick up/drop off guests. And obviously anyone could use it.

[skinzfan23]

A bus route to do that would be a great idea, but the streetcar to the airport isn't feasible.

[Ben]

How many people actually use the garage? We always park at Budget down on Locust.

When its on the company dime and I'm flying out a 6AM on a routine basis? I use the parking garages (especially the rooftops) all the time. I know the shuttles run regularly, but an extra 10-15 mins when you're getting to the airport at 430 or 5AM mean all the difference in the world....

[Dusty]

A bus route to do that would be a great idea, but the streetcar to the airport isn't feasible.

I have said before a streetcar line down 16th street to airport is a poor choice. In fact, a streetcar running the entire route to the airport would be the wrong mode. But they could build a light rail that could function partially like a streetcar. I would start off with a bus line to get people use to it. In time, you could upgrade to rail. You could even build it in sections.

From the airport it would run with less stops/faster speed. It would run down Abbott Drive until it hits the soccer stadium. From here, it functions more like a streetcar going down 10th to Leavenworth. After Leavenworth, it switches back to light rail mode. Cuts over on Pacific or Williams to 13th. Down to the Zoo and turns around heading North on 10th to repeat the line.

I attached this picture to show spacing of stops. Longer spacing on the ends of the route, short stops on the downtown section.

[Longlurker]

One big beam is up.

[skinzfan23]

Those are some huge beams. I know this isn't scheduled to be completed until 2025 but I wonder if some of the glass will be going in already this summer.