A new, $39.2 million parking structure opened this afternoon at Honolulu International Airport, adding some 1,800 stalls for travelers headed to the Neighbor Islands or the Mainland.

Construction on the eight-story parking garage kicked off in September 2007. A vehicle bridge connects the garage to the adjacent parking structure.

At a blessing this morning for the new structure, Gov. Linda Lingle and others said the new garage would relieve parking headaches for travelers. Often, the existing garage fills up quickly on weekends, during the holidays and even on busy travel days, such as Thursdays and Fridays.

"It's going to make a big difference," said state Sen. Kalani English, chairman of the Transportation Committee.

The structure is a key part of the state's $2.3 billion plan to modernize the state's airports.

For more on the modernization plan, go to www.hawaiiairportsmodernization.com.