"Though neighborhood impact recognized, Dulles airport growth moves forward"

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Though neighborhood impact recognized, airport growth moves forward 
By Layla Wilder 
The Times Community (VA)


Passenger growth is prompting the U.S. Department of Transportation's
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to move forward with plans to allow
two new runways at Washington Dulles International Airport. 

"Providing more runway capacity is vital for Dulles to keep pace with air
traffic growth in the Washington region," said Marion Blakey, FAA
administrator for the project. "This project will ensure Dulles remains a
safe and efficient gateway for travelers to our nation's capital." 
 
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) proposed the new
runways and related changes several years ago. 

After recently completing a study that assesses the impact of the expansion
on the area's wildlife and neighborhoods and hosting several public forums,
the FAA plans to formally issue a Record of Decision, a document approving
the expansion, at the end of the month. 

Residents of Pleasant Valley and other neighborhoods surrounding the airport
expressed concern about the noise extra runways may cause during the public
forums on the proposal. 

"Some communities have expressed concerns about noise, especially the
residents of Pleasant Valley who are directly under the proposed flight
paths," said Sully Supervisor Michael Frey (R). 

But, while the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has been working with the
airport to control the noise, the board supports expansion of the airport
because of its important economic contribution to the area, Frey said. 

MWAA officials are advocating the expansion because they think Dulles needs
to prepare for predicted passenger growth, according to Rob Yingling, a
spokesman for the MWAA.

Yingling said the MWAA wants to start building next year. 

MWAA expects the airport to accommodate 40 million passengers a year by
2015. 

The airport accommodated 22.9 million passengers in 2004. 

Once the Commonwealth of Virginia completes its environmental study and
gives the go-ahead, MWAA officials can start building the runways, which
they hope to do next year, Yingling said. 

The FAA's Record of Decision will be available for viewing online after Oct.
21 at http://www.mwaa.com/dulles/EnvironmentalStudies/RunwaysEIS/htm 


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