The open-air carpark in front of Changi Airport Terminal 1 will be closed permanently at 2am next Wednesday, signalling that work will soon start on Project Jewel.
The new multi-storey complex to be built at the site will integrate retail, leisure and airport operations, and house an underground carpark with 2,500 spaces.
This is about three times more than the number of spaces at the current T1 carpark.
But it will be ready only in 2018 and, until then, motorists will have to put up with some inconvenience.
Those heading to T1 will have to park at T2 and take either the Skytrain or shuttle bus to T1.
Road signage and lane markings will guide motorists to the relocated facilities, Changi Airport Group said yesterday.
The boarding point for the free shuttle will be at Door 1 of the T2 Departure Hall, beside the Krispy Kreme outlet.
Staff will be deployed to ensure there is no confusion on the ground.
To ensure there are adequate parking facilities, a new open-air carpark has opened next to the JetQuay terminal near T2 and new parking spaces have been added to the T2 carparks.
This will add 400 spaces in total.
To free up more spaces, the airport will also remove the 24-hour parking fee cap of $20 for cars parked at the airport.
Drivers will have to pay $57.60 for full-day parking, which should discourage some from leaving their cars at the airport when they go on short trips.
The announcement of the closure of the T1 carpark follows the completion of a four-day trial about two weeks ago to test the new transport arrangements.
Overall, it went well but some motorists suggested that better signs be posted to show people how to get from the T2 carpark to T1.
The airport has taken the feedback into consideration, said Changi Airport Group.
For example, additional signs and wall markings have been put up to better guide people.
More lighting and fan fixtures will also be added at various locations to improve visibility and ventilation.
Housewife Elena Lim, 29, said: "The real test will come during the school holidays when more people tend to travel, and even those who don't, visit the airport for leisure, especially if they have children.
"With more people driving to the airport, we will have to see how well the situation is managed."
