SAN ANTONIO -- A new long-term parking garage opened to the public Tuesday at San Antonio International Airport.

The garage has 2,800 parking spots. In December, half of the spaces were made available and other half were unveiled Tuesday.

District 9 City Councilman Louis Rowe said the garage was badly needed.

"Without this new garage, a difficult situation was going to get even tougher," he said.

Boyce Bourland, of Helotes, said she already noticed the difference of more parking spaces.

"It's convenient, it always has space," she said. "It used to be full a lot."

The garage, which was completed four months ahead of schedule and $5 million under budget, is the first of three major expansion projects at the airport.

A bi-level roadway system and a new Terminal B are also in the works.

"This airport truly is the front door to our community for millions of visitors," said Assistant City Manager Penny Postoak. "It is our first and last chance to make a good impression, and that's why these milestones are so important."

The $200 million project, which is expected to be completed in early 2010, is being paid with parking fees, airline agreements and rent paid by airport tenants.