"Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Airport Outlines Four Options for Runway Work"

Wednesday, June 18, 2003

Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Airport Outlines Four Options for Runway Work
The Miami (FL) Herald


Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's main runway is scheduled
for a face-lift next year, but nearby neighbors already are clamoring for
the maintenance work to move as quickly -- and quietly -- as possible.

Airport officials currently are considering four construction options for
the estimated $20 million project, said Bill Sherry, the airport's director
of aviation.

Each option requires the use of a second, diagonal runway, thus bringing the
planes -- and their loud jet engines -- closer to several residential areas
during takeoff and landing.

"Obviously, the project will have a noise impact for various communities,"
said Sherry, who outlined the four possible construction schedules Tuesday
at a Fort Lauderdale Commission conference meeting.

City leaders overwhelmingly favored the plan with the shortest construction
timetable. Under that option, the first phase of work would be done in seven
days. Then, work crews would return a few weeks later, and work for seven
more days.

The timetable for the three other options ranged from 10 to 36 days.

"For me, I think the shortest amount of time you can get the work done is
best," Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson said.

Airport officials also are trying to minimize the amount of time the airport
could be closed, Sherry said.

The cost difference among the four options is less than $500,000, Sherry
said. He said he will select a timetable by July, send out bid requests by
October and pick a contractor six months after that.

The runway construction project is slated to begin in August 2004 and will
include better lighting and safety upgrades. Sherry said the runway was last
overlaid with asphalt in 1989.


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