Changes Made To Parking, Shuttle Service, Access To The Grounds

EAA has made a number of significant upgrades to the traffic, parking and tram operations for AirVenture 2020. These changes are based on visitor feedback and from the 2019 Northwestern University Transportation Center study that included input from thousands of AirVenture visitors.

The changes include easier access and departure from the AirVenture grounds, reducing areas of vehicle/pedestrian conflict within the grounds, and improved shuttle service from public lots to the main gate.

In 2020, while the basic traffic loop to the AirVenture grounds remains, there are some upgrades to know. All public parking lots (Brown, Gray, Yellow, Pink) are accessible from Poberezny Road, and will be staffed and open at 6 a.m. Those who park in the Gray Lot (shown below) can use the shuttle bus from the newly expanded Gray Lot shuttle hub (pictured). Those parking in the Brown and Pink Lots will use the shuttle available immediately behind the EAA Aviation Museum, while those in Yellow Lot can access the shuttle via the pedestrian path behind the Pioneer Airport hangars near KidVenture.

There is a new Gray Lot hard-surfaced entrance off Poberezny Road, with an expanded parking payment area and a new bus pickup/turnaround site. We encourage use of Exit 113 (Highway 26) and northbound Poberezny Road for faster access to the Gray Lot.

The AirVenture trams in 2020 are again offering service throughout the grounds. The BLUE Route (southern route to vintage and ultralight) will operate on Wittman Road and Vern Avenue (past Theater in the Woods). Its new turnaround will be south of Exhibit Hangar B, in a new pickup/dropoff area that gives easy access to Camp Scholler residents.

The YELLOW Route will pick up at the new intersection with the Blue Route and travel between the exhibit hangars, then turn east to stop at the familiar tram stop north of Hangar A.

The RED Route will depart from the usual Hangar A tram stop and go north on Knapp Street to the North 40 entrance.

A new PURPLE Route will run the loop through Homebuilt Aircraft Camping along the airport service road, from Gallatin Ave. near Aviation Gateway Park to the North 40 entrance. This route will operate ONLY during high-demand times (8-11 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.).

The BLUE and YELLOW trams will connect at a new location just west of Theater in the Woods (pictured). That location is also convenient to a new Camp Scholler bus shuttle loading area designed for greater safety and easier access. A pedestrian entry gate is available between the two shuttle areas for your convenience.

Additional updates will be added as they are finalized.

(Source: EAA. Images provided)

FMI: www.eaa.org