"Dulles Airport Expansion Moving Forward With New Runways"

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Dulles Airport Expansion Moving Forward With New Runways
The Associated Press


Work on two new runways that are part of Dulles International Airport's $3
billion expansion could begin in months, the chief executive of the airports
authority said Wednesday.

The runways are part of a project that will more than double the capacity of
the airport, in suburban Virginia west of Washington, enabling it to handle
55 million passengers each year.

"It's conceivable that we can be out there clearing trees by the end of this
year or the beginning of next," James Bennett told board members of the
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

He said expects the environmental impact reports authorizing construction of
the runways to be completed by the end of the next week.

The board also approved a design concept for a four-level structure that
could that could accommodate up to 90 jets. The concourse would be linked to
other terminals by a new subway.

Bennett said Reagan National Airport, which the authority also oversees
across the Potomac River from the capital, will begin receiving
noncommercial flights on Oct. 18 for the first time since the attacks of
Sept. 11, 2001.

Private planes will only be permitted from 12 "gateway" airports approved by
the government. Flight operators will have to pay for the onboard air
marshal required and for a special screening regimen.

On the Net:

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority: http://www.mwaa.com


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