Airport Boulevard's original completion date was December, and the terminal was scheduled to be ready by the end of this month. But spokesmen for both the airport and the Missouri Department of Transportation say a rainy spring last Year created delays.

On the outside, the new Midfield Terminal is mostly complete. Inside, workers were cutting tile and laying carpet on Monday. The finishing touches will take a few more months.

“Things were going along as planned until we got to 2008, and the rain of 2008, and there were literally weeks at a time that it was a swamp out here,” said Kent Boyd, the airport’s marketing director.

So the terminal's completion date has been pushed back to May 6.

“We didn't have a drop dead date, in the sense that you just have to have it done by a certain date. We can keep operating out of the old terminal indefinitely,” said Boyd.

The airport is anticipating the switch to the new and improved facility. It’ll have more space for planes to park each night and load each morning, and much needed space for security checks.

“The folks who examine the bags, they're doing it in rooms that are about the size of a master bedroom,” said Boyd.

Airport officials think it’ll have enough room to accommodate passengers for the next 40 years. Now comes the planning for the switch.

“We have to coordinate five airlines, five or six rental car agencies, the retail store, the restaurant,” said Boyd.

They're also working closely with the folks building the new entrance road, which was originally planned to be finished last month.

“Airport Boulevard needs to be paved up to the bridge and down to here at the roundabout,” said Johnny Teegardin, resident engineer for MoDOT’s district based in Springfield.

By the time the new terminal is done, MoDOT says it will have pavement to help travelers get there.

“We'll do the final grading, touch it up and, as soon as we get some good weather, we'll start paving,” said Teegardin.

The contractor is shooting to have the road ready to open by mid-April. It will have until June 1 to make all the finishing touches.

To get to the new road and terminal, go west on Chestnut Expressway, which is Missouri 266 west of Interstate 44, turn north on Airport Boulevard and go about a mile. The terminal is just north of Division Street (Highway EE).

Passengers who fly out of the old terminal before May 6 and then return to Springfield will be able to take an airport-supplied shuttle from the new terminal to the old terminal to pick up their vehicles.