See the McGhee Tyson Airport sinkhole causing roadway closure, and plan for delays
The Knoxville airport has closed part of the road indefinitely as construction crews work to fill the hole. The airport is working on alternate routes for travelers.
The sinkhole formed around 6:30 p.m. where the former rental car return and Phone and Wait lot were located. These amenities were removed from the area as part of an airport construction project, said Becky Huckaby, the airport's vice president of human relations.
The sinkhole has not damaged or altered the front curbs of the terminal where cars arrive to pick up and drop off travelers, Huckaby said.
"We are working on an alternative route and have stationed people throughout the airport to help people navigate the roadway," she told Knox News.
Alternative routes will be implemented for motorists leaving and arriving at the airport. Huckaby said the airport will share the routes on social media and on the airport's website, flyknoxville.com.
McGhee Tyson is recommending travelers arrive three hours prior to their flight. Because it's peak travel season, the airport already was suggesting prior to the sinkhole that travelers arrive two hours early.
"This is just going to add time," she said. "That's the most that it would need. But as soon as the alternative routes are put into place, that's just in the near future."
The airport announced the sinkhole in a Thursday evening post to Facebook, where it will continue to share updates as the situation develops.
Keenan Thomas reports for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com.
Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: McGhee Tyson sinkhole may delay travel nearing Knoxville, TN airport
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