Lane closures at Hartsfield–Jackson cause headaches for drivers

ATLANTA — Atlanta police are directing traffic that squeezed from eleven lanes to just four.

Right now, the four lanes closest to the north terminal here are open. But the three lanes to the right, and the four, on the lower level are all off-limits.

Atlanta police officers blew whistles and directed drivers with flashlights outside Atlanta airport’s north terminal. Officers insisted on no idling.

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April Shaw’s son struggled to pick up his mom.

“They just kept waving him over to the side over to the side and there was no way for him to get over to be able to pick me up. He said, just keep walking all the way down until it ends and maybe there’ll be a clear spot because it’s so congested back there,” Shaw explained.

A graphic from the Atlanta airport outlines Sunday’s overnight traffic pattern. The closures are due to construction.

saw crews prepare to build massive canopies over the roads.

“I think it’s going to be great for the city of Atlanta. I think we need that. It’s safe. It keeps us from the elements, so I’m all for it. I understand there’s going to be lots of obstacles and challenges, but I think in the end, it will all work out,” said airport patron Soukhy Clark.

Monday’s overnight closures will be an even more drastic change for drivers picking up and dropping off at the north terminal. The airport says the seven lanes closest to the terminal will shut down. Only the lower level will be open.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to plan ahead,” Clark said.

Airport officials said starting October 1, there will be nightly closures. This is all part of the plan to modernize the busiest airport in the world.

Cox Media Group