Parking and getting around the James E. Van Zandt Veterans’ Hospital in Altoona is about to get easier for patients. 

The project has been about a year and a half in the making and will finally open Monday morning.

Patients have been parking in the employee parking lot, making it hard for some veterans to get around. 

“And it’s been really tough for them. We have a bit of an incline coming into the building from the employee lot. And I’ve seen a lot of veterans that have struggled with…moving up that incline to get in to the building,” said Andrea Young, Public Affairs Officer

The garage will add about 350 new spaces for veterans, volunteers and visitors to park in. 

Equipped with an elevator and covered walkway, veterans will be able to stay out of the rain and snow. 

No matter what the weather may be, Vietnam veteran Harold Skaggs said it will help cut out the long-distance walk. 

“Well, it’ll be better for the handicapped…the handicapped ain’t got far to walk now. Ya know? Before they

had to walk from the back-parking lot all the way up,” said Skaggs.

Young said that ideally the parking garage will make getting inside safer and more comfortable for the veterans.