In a Record of Decision issued today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the Preferred Alternative for the T. F. Green Airport Improvement Program.
The FAA, in coordination with the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC), identified the preferred alternative as B4 in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This series of improvements would:
· Extend the primary runway, Runway 5-23, to the south by 1,530 feet to a total length of 8,700 feet.
· Construct new belly cargo and U.S. Postal Service facilities, new integrated cargo facilities and a new fuel farm.
· Relocate Taxiway C to increase the spacing to 400 feet between the runway and taxiway.
· Shift the secondary or crosswind runway, Runway 16-34, approximately 100 feet to the north so that an engineered materials arresting system (EMAS) can be installed at each end of the runway to create an enhanced runway protection zone.
· Demolish Hangar 1 to remove an airspace obstruction.
· Relocate roadways, build additional parking facilities and expand and modify the passenger terminal.
The ROD presents the FAA’s determinations and environmental approvals for the federal actions necessary to implement the T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program. The FAA carefully considered all comments submitted prior to issuing its decision, which includes responses to comments received on the Final Environmental Impact Statement.
Beginning September 30, 2011, the T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program ROD is expected to be available for public review at the following locations:
In Warwick: Central Library, 600 Sandy Lane; Pontiac Free Library, 101 Greenwich Avenue; Apponaug Branch, 3627 Post Road; Conimicut Branch, 55 Beach Avenue; and the Norwood Branch, 328 Pawtuxet Avenue.
In Cranston: Public Library Central Branch, 140 Sackanosset Cross Road.
In Providence; Public Library Central Branch, 150 Empire Street.
An electronic copy of the ROD is posted on the project web site at: www.vhb.com/pvd/eis.