Beauty, history, and convenience merge in architectural splendor for the new central tunnel at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

The Phase 2 Central Tunnel, nicknamed the “river tunnel” for its lights and curving decorations, is the latest step in efforts to expand the airport and answer a plethora of traveler complaints.

Since reopening post COVID, the long walks, backtracking, and general cumbersomeness of the new linear layout earned SLC a rather storied reputation among travelers. Twitter users described SLC as “terrible,” “Poor design,” and “an absolute zoo” when the airport opened in 2021. Rating service SkyTrax saw many 1-star reviews and few travelers who would recommend the airport.

The River Tunnel makes the long walk and backtracking is now a thing of the past, cutting travelers’ walks by as much as a quarter of a mile. Travelers will get to enjoy art by Gordon Huether and Heuther’s carefully curated 100-song playlist on their journey.

“The intent of the River tunnel art installation is to create an immersive, positive passenger experience,” Heuther said.

The quicker commute brought about by the new tunnel got a few laughs at the opening ceremony. “We like to think of Salt Lake City and the walks here, though, as reasonable and good warmup for your knees when you’re going to go skiing or hiking,” joked Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. She added that the new concourse was so exciting, “I felt like screaming and leaping with joy as I came down the elevator.”

SLC International Airport has invested over $40 million on art and experiential architecture which pays tribute to the history of Utah and Its native people. Phase 3 has also included the installation of a replica Allosaurus fossil, the official fossil of the state.

Condé Nast described SLC as “art-filled, multi-sensorial, and designed for the future.”

“With today’s opening of Phase 3, we have reached an extraordinary milestone in The New SLC Redevelopment Program. We have built an airport that is convenient, inspiring, flexible, sustainable and provides our passengers with a first-class experience,” Bill Wyatt, executive director of Salt Lake City Department of Airports, said in a statement.