LAS VEGAS -- It's a construction project that will affect airport passengers and local drivers.

The runway rehabilitation project at McCarran Airport is expected to last for nearly six months.

Airport officials said it's a necessary construction project, but those who count on flights being on time said this could be financially brutal.

Allison Zink said she was recently laid off and just started working as a limo driver about a week ago.

“My job is to get people to places on time, and if things are running behind, we're all running behind,” Zink said.

In Zink's world -- time is money.

“When a plane is delayed again, we don't get paid until the passenger has their baggage and is in our vehicle,” Zink said.

Crews have shut down one of four runways at McCarran Airport to upgrade the surface from asphalt to concrete. The runway is expected to be closed until May 2009.

Officials said the upgrade is a necessity, even if it coincides with the holiday travel season.

“Had we not scheduled this for the winter months, the problems would have been much more severe because this runway is used much more frequently during the hot summer months,” said Randall Walker of the Clark County Dept. of Aviation.

Officials said there's no way of predicting average delays, but the volume of traffic -- which is heaviest on Thursdays and Sundays -- and weather will play a major role.

“The weather is the wild card that we cannot control, but everyone is working together to make sure there will be as little disruption as possible,” Walker said.

For drivers like Zink, who need flights to be on time, there are some fears this could be a tough holiday season for everyone.

“It's stressful on our passengers too, so it puts stress on us,” Zink said.

A traffic light at East Sunset and Bermuda roads will be up and running in about two weeks. That's where construction vehicles will be entering and exiting the work site, so there may be some delays on the roads as well.

The $75 million runway rehab project is partially funded through a $28.4 million FAA grant.