NASHVILLE (AP) - A balky telephone system that quickly became overwhelmed when unemployment soared in Tennessee has been overhauled and should be less frustrating for callers.

Don Ingram of the Tennessee Department of Labor says there are now additional telephone lines and the system has been upgraded with more self-service components, according to WSMV-TV (http://bit.ly/u2tAPz).

The phone system has been a source of complaints since the Great Recession hit and joblessness grew. The increased volume swamped the antiquated system.

Ingram cautions that phone traffic is akin to an interstate highway system with traffic jams during rush hour and Monday mornings are the worst.

The department has also expanded its Internet site to take unemployment applications and reduce the load on call centers.