Giving Thanks for Runways

by Carol Hallett

Just in time for the Thanksgiving crush our nation gained three new runways last week in Chicago, Washington D.C. and Seattle-Tacoma. We certainly need them, airline passenger traffic is expected to increase by 36% by 2015. The runways are a good example of the kind of long-term thinking and investment we need to strengthen America’s air traffic system and reduce delays for passengers and freight. They are a major step toward reducing airport delays, and boosting productivity. This will benefit the environment while helping airlines become more financially stable.

[Robert]STURGELL: You know, I suppose some worry what all the pomp and circumstance is all about. After all, it's just a runway. But I think we know better. Runways in aviation are the engines of freedom and economic power and the lifeline of our communities. (Chicago Public Radio)

It is the first new runway to be built at Dulles since the Northern Virginia airport opened in 1962. Its three-runway configuration has since gotten too crowded for the airport’s heavy flight traffic. (Baltimore Business Journal)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s third runway, opening today, is the Port of Seattle’s newest beacon. Already known as one of the region’s key transportation assets, what you see when you get closer is an environmental success story that’s good for business and good for our community.

Look closer and you’ll see spawning salmon within 200 yards of a major airport runway an 8,500-foot-long slab of concrete produced with greenhouse gas emissions in mind and crab shells that make water runoff cleaner than the creek it drains into.

One of the most challenging public works projects ever undertaken in the state of Washington, Sea-Tac’s third runway project required innovation and creativity to improve airlines’ on-time performance, reduce delay and improve customer service for passengers, and provide a greener, cleaner environment. (Seattle Journal of Commerce)

While good news is always appreciated, many more improvements are needed. Congress and the FAA must to work together to expedite air traffic control modernization, provide necessary investments to increase national aviation system capacity, and move ahead with the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) initiative by deploying state-of-the-art ground, air, and satellite-based technologies as soon as possible.

Carol Hallett will be speaking at "Taking the Challenge: Real Solutions for Rebuilding Our Critical Infrastructure" on December 9th. Learn more about this event.

Comments

[jtormey3]

Bobby Sturgell Exits Like Glenn Close In The Michael Douglas Bathtub!

ABC and others are now reporting that Bobby Sturgell has given his "Farewell Address". [That’s only a little over 4 months after Quiet Rockland scooped in July that Sturgell announced he would depart in November. Next!].

Wait a minute. “Farewell Address?”

Bobby Sturgell is FINALLY willing to admit that he done got beat? Including by a bunch of Yankees? Tarnation! If that don’t ‘jest beat all! Bobby Sturgell’s grace in exit has been like Glenn Close in the bathtub!

Well from all of us at Quiet Rockland - GOOD RIDDANCE, Sturg-EEL! Here’s a little something for your “legacy” - an article we entitle: "Bobby Sturgell, FAA Liar: Rewriting Webster’s Dictionary". Google it, Bobby. See what comes up.