May 27, 2009
Airport Expansion Details
Paul Edward Parker's story in today's Projo on the Green Airport runaway expansion and the very good accompanying map mention only the expansion to the Southwest that will force a relocation of Main Avenue (Route 113) in Warwick. Only 11 homes will be required to move, but a number of others will be close to new runway lights and/or within a loud engine-noise area.
However, Dan Jaehnig's story from WJAR-TV (NBC 10), as well as the environmental impact statement available from the Projo website, mention a second phase of the expansion, where the section of Airport road that intersects with Post Road (near the old Ann & Hope, to give the location in the traditional Rhode Island way) will also be relocated, not as much as some of the other proposals had called for, but still forcing a number of businesses to move.
As best as I can tell from the Channel 10 story, Republican headquarters in Warwick will not get bulldozed as part of the current expansion plan. At least not in the construction-industry sense.
I don't understand for the life of me why Main Ave can't be put underneath the runway. Far bigger airports than Greene have similar setups.
Posted by: EMT at May 27, 2009 12:11 PMI can't for the life of me figure out why the airport isn't in Quonset. If the ANG can land fully laden C-130's, a 737 is a cinch. Because this isn't just about runway expansion. If RIAC gets the hoped for increase in traffic, the next thing will be a new terminal. This ridiculous train station is a white elephant from the word go. If we're lucky, MBTA will come down this far. AMTRAK won't stop unless there are significant sidings on both sides so as not to obstruct Accela service. How many more houses and businesses will be taken for that? And Post Road is a mess now. With increased traffic, that just gets worse.
In comparison, Quonset already has easy access from 403. Rail service is already there and will not effect the Accela. Plus the fact that you could utilize the now wasted RIPTA high speed ferry. Let's face it, tourists don't come to see Warwick. They come for South County beaches and Newport. Water transportation to these locations is a huge plus. Who knows, maybe we can get people from New London or Long Island to fly out of Quonset.
And on top of all that, it's just plain safer and less noisy to have the airport near the water. Should geese fly into an engine of a plane taking off from Green, we won't be hearing about the "Miracle on the Pawtuxet".
But, the people in EG and NK have more money than people in Warwick so none of this will ever happen.
Posted by: Jeff at May 27, 2009 9:57 PM"...Republican headquarters in Warwick will not get bulldozed as part of the current expansion plan."
That's R.I.N.O headquarters.
Posted by: George at May 27, 2009 11:23 PM