Detroit Metropolitan Airport is building a new North Cell Phone Lot ahead of the late-November holiday travel season. The Wayne County Airport Authority says the lot will have about 145 spaces at Rogell Drive and Burton Drive, on the same side of the road as the Warren C. Evans Terminal.

What is changing at DTW

The new waiting area will replace the current North Cell Phone Lot off East Service Drive. The airport authority says the new location will remove the need for drivers approaching from that side to wait near the I-94 exit and then use a turnaround to reach the Evans Terminal arrivals curb. DTW’s South Cell Phone Lot near Eureka and Wayne roads is not changing.

Construction was underway when the authority announced the project on Nov. 9. The airport has described the opening as planned for late November, ahead of the holiday period; it has not published a specific opening date in the notice. Check DTW’s current pickup and drop-off guidance before driving to the airport.

Curbside pickup rules to know

The authority says that once construction is complete, police will strictly enforce the existing prohibition on parking at the Evans and McNamara terminal curbs. Drivers may stop for active loading and unloading, but should wait in a cell phone lot until their arriving passenger has collected bags and is ready at the curb. The authority says curb violations can draw a $70 citation, while unattended vehicles may be towed.

For the broader Thanksgiving flight outlook, see our report on expected holiday air travel. That national forecast does not replace airport-specific pickup instructions, which can change as construction progresses.

Sources: Wayne County Airport Authority announcement and current DTW pickup guidance; CBS Detroit report on the new lot and holiday timing.