"Minneapolis runway repairs won't shift jet noise ; Longest runway to get upgrades, but it's least-used"

Friday, April 29, 2002

Repairs won't shift jet noise ; Longest runway to get upgrades, but it's
least-used
The Minneapolis (MN) Star-Tribune


Runway repairs at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport often cause
big shifts in where planes fly and how much noise hits nearby
neighborhoods.

Not this year.

Two sections of MSP's longest runway - known as 4-22 - will get worked
on starting next month, but officials of the Metropolitan Airports
Commission (MAC) hope to keep the runway open during construction. Even
if it does close, 4-22 is MSP's least-used runway, so diverting planes
to the other two runways would not trigger major disruptions, they said
Thursday.

The first project on 4-22 includes building an intersection with MSP's
new north-south runway, which is expected to open in 2004.

The intersection work, at the southwest end of 4-22, is to begin in
early April and end in mid-July. It will cost more than $13 million.

The second project was deferred from this year's building program but is
likely to be restored next month.

It would rebuild 2,000 feet on the northeast end of 4-22 between
mid-summer and about Oct. 1. The estimated cost is $10 million, but bids
are not due until May 14.

The MAC deferred that project late last year in the face of sharp
revenue shortages. But staff members said Thursday that favorable bids
on other work and the availability of other funds would allow the
project to proceed, if the commission approves.

In February, 4-22 carried 0.4 percent of MSP's total takeoffs and
landings and 0.2 percent of airline jet traffic. At 11,000 feet in
length, it is used mainly by heavily loaded jets that are headed
overseas and need more runway length. It also is used when winds from
the southwest or northeast are strong and make it more difficult for
planes to use the two parallel runways.

During this summer's construction, overseas jets will use the south
parallel, which has been lengthened for temporary use under an agreement
between the MAC and Minneapolis.

Dick Saunders, president of the South Minneapolis Airport Action
Council, said jet noise this summer should not be as frequent as before
because air traffic at MSP has not yet returned to levels that preceded
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. That includes night flights, which often
rile residents more than day flights do.

Kurt Ebenhoch, a Northwest Airlines spokesman, said the airline also is
using more regional jets in place of some larger planes, reducing the
potential for noise generated by individual aircraft.

Meanwhile, the MAC continues to install air-conditioning and noise
insulation to homes near the airport - more than 7,000 so far - allowing
homeowners to keep windows closed during the summer and block out some
jet noise.

Noise opponents, however, say that back-yard barbecues and other outdoor
activities continue to be disrupted by the long-term increase in MSP
activity.

Chad Leqve, manager of the MAC's aviation noise program, said another
summer project will shift jet engine maintenance runups temporarily from
the southwest part of MSP to the north side between the parallel
runways. The runups will be sporadic, he said, and are to occur only
between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.


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