Drivers heading to Monterey Regional Airport will hit a new traffic pattern on Olmsted Road starting Monday, Oct. 19.
The airport announced on X on Sunday, Oct. 11, that lanes will shift toward the Long-Term Parking Lot entrance and exit as roundabout construction at the Olmsted Road and Garden Road intersection enters its final phase. The airport is urging travelers to arrive at least 90 minutes before their scheduled departure, follow posted signs and flaggers, and use caution in the construction zone.
The lane shift is part of Phase 3 of the roundabout project, which runs through approximately Friday, Nov. 13, according to an airport press release. That final phase involves roadway construction on the west side of Olmsted Road and Garden Road adjacent to the roundabout.
The roundabout is part of the FAA-required MRY Metamorphosis Safety Enhancement Program, tied to a replacement passenger terminal expected to open in summer 2027. Once complete, the roundabout will connect travelers to the existing terminal, airport parking and eventually the new terminal's roadway system.
Construction crews work weekdays between approximately 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Flaggers direct traffic on Olmsted Road, Garden Road and Fred Kane Drive during active work periods. The airport's press release states that lanes and the roadway intersection will remain open at all times. Parking along the first 500 feet of Garden Road west of Olmsted Road is not permitted during construction.
The project has run longer than originally planned. A February 2026 construction brief projected a four-month build starting in March 2026, which would have wrapped by roughly late July. The airport's July press release extended the expected completion to mid-November 2026. No explanation for the delay has been made public.
The Monterey Peninsula Airport District Board of Directors unanimously adopted Resolution No. 1936 on July 23, granting a public road easement with the City of Monterey for the roundabout at Olmsted and Garden roads. The vote was 4-0, with Director Pick absent, according to board meeting minutes.
Residents with questions about the roadway project can reach the airport at montereyairport.com/program-contact.
