Wed, Sep 01, 2010
One New Runway Would Be Built, Two Extended, But Not Everyone
Is Happy With The Plan
The FAA has selected the plan
it considers the best choice for expansion at Philadelphia
International Airport (KPHL). But a green light on the project
can't be given until a final environmental impact statement is
completed, and a local government is still hoping to slow or
alter the project.
The plan would extend two runways and build one entirely new
one. The $5.2 billion cost would be paid for through FAA grants,
airport revenue bonds, and passenger facility charges, according to
The Daily Times of Delaware County, PA.
The plan would also mean that the airport authority would have
to acquire about 200 acres of land from private owners, displace
about 72 residences, and require the relocation of a UPS facility
at the airport. The expansion would cost local governments and
school districts around the airport nearly $3 million annually in
lost tax revenue. The FAA estimates there would also be
"significant noise impacts" for nearly 2,000 people by 2030, along
with the loss of 82 acres or wetlands and other environmental
concerns, according to the paper.
And, as was seen
as recently as last year with the proposed runway expansion of
Chicago's O'Hare airport, a small local government plans to try to
block, or at least alter, the expansion plans. Thomas Jay
Giancristoforo Jr., the president of the board of commissioners in
Tinicum Township which is near the airport, said he will do
"everything in my power" to stop further airport encroachment into
the township. "It's our survival, really," he said. The township
filed a lawsuit in May of last year to require "first class cities"
to obtain the "consent of local authorities" when acquiring
land.
The project, if green-lighted, is expected to take 12-15 years
to complete, and could create as many as 46,000 jobs over that
period.
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