Orange County's new airport … here's help getting into, around, and out of it - Orange County's Thomas F. Riley Terminal

Sunset, Dec, 1990

During this holiday season, many out-oftowners will get their first look at Orange County's new Thomas E Riley Terminal since it opened in mid-September. The 337,900-square-foot structure, curved and vaulted like an airplane fuselage, is the largest public works project in the county's history. The facility is 12 times larger than the old terminal, which is now closed.

The number of daily flights has increased from 55 to 73; traffic flow next year is expected to reach 8.4 million passengers. What's at the new airport The terminal building is divided into terminals A and B, with facilities (telephones, rest rooms, snack bars, newsstands) in mirror-image locations. You'll find fast food and more elaborate meals in and around a central area between the two terminals. John Wayne is back, too-indoors this time; his newly colorized statue stands tall in the center of the arrival level. Directly behind him, hotel information boards flank rental car counters. For shuttle service to major attractions such as Disneyland, Universal Studios, and Knott's Berry Farm, to other regional airports, or elsewhere, call for pickup. Services are listed in the yellow pages under Airport Transportation. Meet shuttles across the street from the arrival area, where cabs line up. Buses to Disneyland also leave here every 45 to 60 minutes between 6:15 A.M. and 8:45 Pm.; cost is $7. Getting in and getting out Improved and new roads make it easier to get from the airport to outlying areas. To reach northern cities such as Santa Ana and Anaheim, you can now take State Highway 55 (Costa Mesa Freeway) from the airport and back without using often congested I-405. If you're heading southeast (to Irvine), Michelson Drive offers new surface street access to southbound I-405 that avoids MacArthur Boulevard traffic. Take Michelson south a block to Jamboree Road, then head east on Jamboree to I-405. To reach coastal areas like Newport Beach or Costa Mesa, get on southbound State Highway 73 at Campus Drive (widened from four to six lanes). Campus Drive is also a good approach for northbound traffic; State 73 merges with 1-405 just beyond South Coast Plaza, avoiding busy holiday traffic on 1-405 between the airport and the mall.