Airport hearings begin next week

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, January 2, 2001

KENNER – Three public hearings are scheduled to hear ideas on expansion of the New Orleans International Airport, the hearings set in Destrehan, Kenner and New Orleans.

Among the alternatives to be discussed will be a possible new regional airport, apart from the New Orleans area.

In 1990, the Federal Aviation Administration began preparation of an environmental impact study to address construction of a new runway. However, the draft study was never completed. In 1998, the city of New Orleans again began pushing for completion of the study, working with the New Orleans Aviation Board. The FAA hired a consultant, and work began anew on the study in late 1999.

According to the Transportation Deparment, the existing north-south runway is inadequate for full instrucment capabilities, nor is it possible to lengthen that runway. This steered planners to consider construction of a new north-south runway, to be entirely located in St. Charles Parish.

However, opposition has been constant from St. Rose area residents, as entire subdivisions may have to be cleared from the flight path.

The following are the public hearing dates:

Jan. 8, Jerusalem Temple, 1940 Ormond Blvd., Destrehan,

Jan. 9, Pontchartrain Center, 4545 Williams Blvd., Kenner,

Jan. 10, Delgado Community College, Michael Williamson Gym, 615 City Park Ave., New Orleans.

At each hearing, a workshop will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by the open forums, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Federal, state and local agencies which have jurisdiction or have special expertise with any potential environmental impacts, will be notified by letter of an agency scoping meeting, to be held Jan. 11 in the New Orleans Aviation Board meeting room, from 9 a.m. to noon.