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A $5 million airport renovation project has run into some temporary turbulence.

A requirement to conduct interior renovation work at Eugene Airport without interrupting regular flights has proven awkward for workers and passengers.

Deputy airport director Cathryn Stephens said she originally hoped the renovation would cause minimal disruption, but then both American and Frontier airlines began flying into Eugene.

“Because of that, we didn’t have the space to gently move things around,” Stephens said. “We quickly put in modular units and did some major shuffling.”

However, there is good news as well.

“Although $5 million was the original projected cost of the project, the bids came back in our favor, so the actual cost may be a bit less,” Stephens said.

Eugene Airport also known as Mahlon Sweet Field, will remain open while workers complete the renovation project. However, Stephens said travelers might want to arrive two hours early for the flight due to delays caused by construction.

“We moved the ticket counters out about 8 to 10 feet and putting up a construction wall behind that,” said Stephens. “It’s a temporary solution, but in the end, it will be much better for everyone. We’ll have electronic screens for the airlines to display their logos. Each airline will eventually be able to display all their flight information.”

Construction is expected to continue through late October.

The project includes moving screening equipment behind the ticket counters so passengers can check their bags directly at the counter. This could cause ticket counters and airline offices to be shuffled about during construction.

All six of the airport’s airline offices are being temporarily relocated to modular units the terminal.

The project also includes a new flight information display system.

Stephens said the airport is seeing more travelers and visitors now that Frontier and American airlines have extended flights to Eugene.

Airport officials eventually want to add offices and ticket counters on the north end of the terminal so six more airlines can bring flights to Eugene, she said.

The airport is growing in every way.

A record 809,457 passengers passed through the Eugene airport last year — reflecting a 3.74 percent increase over 2011 (the previous record holder).

Of the $5 million projected cost for the project, $3.2 million is coming from grants from the Transportation Security Administration, and $1.8 million will come from airport funds and $4.50 added to each passenger’s ticket.

The project may not actually cost $5 million, Stephens said.

The general contractor on the project is Hyland Construction of Eugene.