CHESTER, Va. -- The arrival of thousands of seasonal workers at the Amazon Fulfillment Center has become a new annual tradition in rural Chester, Virginia.
Hiring is set to begin soon, with the first wave of workings arriving around Nov. 16.
But for those who live nearby, the additional workers create a traffic nightmare.
"You've worked all day you're tired you don't want to wait 20 minutes to get to your house," Patricia Crowley, who lives near the massive distribution center.
Crowley described last year as miserable. She said that during shift changes it would take nearly a half hour to just drive a block up the road.
However, it appears as though serious changes are in store.
"I've personally been involved with at least four meetings," Chesterfield Police Captain David Shand said.
Shand said Amazon is changing its shift schedule to ease congestion. Additionally, employees will be encouraged to come from I-295 and VDOT will install new signs. Nine police officers will also direct traffic and new drop off policies will be enforced.
"These off-duty officers will be paid by Amazon," Shand said.
