HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - Huntsville International Airport passengers arriving next week can expect to pick up their bags from a modern baggage carousel in a new large, high-ceiling, bright baggage claim area.

Airport spokeswoman Laura Gipson on Thursday gave the media a sneak peek of phase one of the $24 million baggage claim area expansion that will at least double the airport's baggage handling capacity. "I think it brings a much more modern look to the airport," Gipson said.

The new baggage claim area will have three round revolving luggage carousels that will replace the two existing flat conveyors.

The first of the three carousels is expected to begin operating next week, possibly as early as Monday. The area where the two existing conveyors are will be closed to install two more carousels and for renovations in phase two of the project. Phase two is expected to be completed next summer.

The new carousel that passengers will begin using next week is in a large area with vaulted, arched ceilings and a glass front facade that furnishes lots of natural light.

The area includes two jumbo projection screens, new car rental counters, a new space for the Huntsville-Madison County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and a wall mural featuring area attractions such as the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Point Mallard and the Huntsville Museum of Art.

Phase two construction will include ripping out the low-slung ceilings over the existing baggage conveyors, replacing the front of the building with a glass facade, installing new escalators, and building a second elevated pedestrian walkway between the terminal and parking deck.

"It's going to be tremendously different," Gipson said of the terminal once work is completed next year.

The baggage claim expansion will complete the airport's five-year, $92 million capital improvement project.

Because construction has eliminated most of the 10-minute parking area along the terminal front, the airport is offering free 30-minute parking in the parking deck.

W.G. Yates & Sons Construction of Philadelphia, Miss., is the contractor and Chapman Sisson Architects in Huntsville is the project architect.