Atlanta airport squeezes expansion into limited space

Denver International Airport has 34,000 acres. Dallas-Fort Worth International has 18,000 acres.

Hartsfield-Jackson International, the world's busiest airport? Just 4,700 acres.

The Atlanta airport might handle more than 100 million passengers a year, but it is hemmed in by I-85 to the north and west, I-75 to the east and I-285 to the south.

The airfield is also surrounded by communities of people and businesses including College Park, Forest Park and Hapeville.

Now, as the airport expands with a new concourse, hotels next to the terminal, more gates and eventually a sixth runway, almost every big construction element will require relocating facilities.

In order to build, the airport must demolish buildings, move critical operations, close parking lots and divert travelers during construction.

>> To read about the juggling act required to construct more gates, build canopies over the curbside and add another runway, get the full story on MyAJC.com.

>> Interactive map: Atlanta airport expansion

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