Construction causes backups at Hartsfield-Jackson

Every day, more than 260,000 passengers travel through Hartsfield Jackson Inteational Airport. Right now, work on traffic improvements around the airport is adding to the hustle and bustle.

Air traffic at the world's busiest airport has doubled since it was built. Call them growing pains, or improvements, but either way, keep an eye out for changes as you head to the airport in the next year.

For some people, flying can be stressful. Now add to that stress, construction improvements around Hartsfield Jackson.

"We are right in the middle of our traffic improvements. Unfortunately things have to get worse, before they get better so we've shifted the road in order to give us areas to work," explains Asst. Director of Project Development Kathryn Masters.

After planning the work for roughly six years, airport officials hope the construction will be complete in about a year.

"This is an improvement that we've really needed for a number of years," says Masters.

With limited space to work around, continuous traffic shifts have drivers on their toes. "By the time we're done, people will see a huge improvement. We are eliminating a lot of our weave motions," adds Masters.

There will also be more time to make decisions when you're reading the signs behind the wheel. "We're presenting decisions to them one at a time instead of people deciding, am I going to the terminal? Am I parking? Am I doing this? They'll be able to make those decisions one at a time. Which will make it easier and simpler to navigate," explains Masters.

Officials urge you to give yourself more time, drive slowly, and avoid peak times and days like Monday moings and Thursday afteoons.

Expect a changing environment there for the next 8-9 months.