BWI's lower road getting three new lanes this month

Three new lanes of traffic on the lower level at Baltimore-Washington International Airport will be open starting Sunday. (If work on the road is delayed, the lanes will open Dec. 29.)

The lanes may be used when picking up travelers at the baggage claim area.

BWI customers are encouraged to use the 30 minutes of free parking at the short-term garage when meeting or dropping off passengers.

Southwest installs 12 self-check-in kiosks

Southwest Airlines has installed 12 self-check-in kiosks at Pier B at BWI. Southwest customers who have an electronic ticket and carry-on luggage will be able to use the kiosks, which will supply passengers with a boarding pass before going through security.

Four kiosks beyond the security checkpoint on Pier B are available for connecting passengers with e-tickets who do not need to check luggage.

Actress to distribute packages to GIs at airport

Actress Meredith Baxter will hand out USO care packages at BWI to GIs who are heading overseas.

Individuals participating in Operation Care Package write personal messages and pay for packages to be delivered to servicemen and women.

Pupils from Gaithersburg Middle School will distribute care packages inside BWI's international pier from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. The pupils selected Operation USO Care Package to be the recipent of their fund-raising efforts.

BWI is the East Coast international gateway for the Air Force Mobility Command, which transports military personnel and equipment overseas.

Information about Operation Care Package: 866-USO-GIVE, or www.usometrodc.org.