Airport Blvd. Improvements Not Without Growing Pains

Airport Boulevard is getting a face lift, and many frustrated commuters say that it is long overdue.

DOTcrews are turning an overstuffed two-lane road into a five-lane road. The project stretches two miles from the airport, over Interstate 40, ending near Highway 54.

The upgrade is not coming without some growing pains. Contractors working on the bridge over the interstate sheered off pavement sensors that trip traffic lights. For the past week, the light cycles have been short-changing traffic exiting the interstate, creating huge traffic jams.

The bridge over I-40 will be a tight squeeze. Crews are about to repaint lines and use the shoulders. While it will add another lane, each lane will be one foot thinner.

The DOT is asking for patience, saying that after the growing pains, commuters will see significant improvements.