Hartsfield-Jackson canopies nearly complete

Two illuminated airport canopies -- meant to be a signature piece of Hartsfield-Jackson International's facelift -- are nearly complete.

The two canopies have been under construction since 2017, with the Terminal North canopy completed last fall.

The north canopy at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport lights up to welcome visitors to Atlanta for the Super Bowl. After some early showers, Atlanta is expected to be dry and warm Sunday afternoon, according to Channel 2 Action News.

Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

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Credit: JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport general manager John Selden said the Terminal South canopy will be complete by Sept. 4.

“Both sides will be lit up and ready to roll,” Selden said.

Morning commuters arrive in the cold and under a blue canopy at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) Friday. At midnight, 1800 LED lights on the airport's north canopy will turn blue and burn brightly to commemorate National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The blue lights will symbolize ATL's  commitment to stamping out sexual exploitation and other forms of human trafficking. JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM

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However, there is still curbside construction going on, including work to build pedestrian bridges from the parking decks to the terminal. The above-ground walkways expected to make it safer for pedestrians while improving the flow of vehicle traffic on airport roads at the curbside.

A rendering of the canopies under construction at Hartsfield-Jackson

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In the meantime, the construction is causing detours, lane closures and congestion at the curbside.

<p>Travelers beware: Roads close at Atlanta airport for canopy construction</p> <p>Travelers beware: Roads close at Atlanta airport for canopy construction</p>

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And, new vestibules on the exterior of the terminal are still being completed, with work scheduled to finish in April, according to Selden.

The canopies and other terminal improvements come with a price tag of $265 million, including the work on the canopies, vestibules, terminal exterior and other improvements in the terminal and on the roof.

The cost ended up being $102.5 million more than originally expected as plans became more complex and the scope grew. Money for the additional cost comes from passenger fees and airport revenue from operations such as parking, concessions and airline usage fees.

A rendering of what the canopies at Hartsfield-Jackson will look like when completed and illuminated at night. Source: Hartsfield-Jackson

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Canopies by the numbers

-65 feet feet tall

-195 feet wide

-3 football fields long

-3,708 LED lights that can change colors

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