LOCAL PUBLIC HEARING ON AIRPORT RUNWAY EXPANSION SCHEDULED The Federal Aviation Administration will a public hearing Monday evening in Folsom on the proposed expansion of Runway 17-35 at Philadelphia International Airport.

The first hearing will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Ridley Community Center Auditorium, 801 Morton Ave. in Folsom.

The hearing will focus on the FAAs draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed runway extension. Philadelphia International Airport wants to extend Runway 17-35 so that commuter airlines with regional jets, which require more runway space than turboprop planes, can use the runway and reduce congestion on the airports longer runways. Two alternatives are being considered: one would expand the runway, which is currently 5,500 feet long, to a total length of 6,500 feet; the other would expand the runway to a total of 7,500 feet.

The draft Environmental Impact Statement concludes that neither alternative would have significant impacton surrounding communities and residents, but many public officials disagree, saying the extension could increase noise and air pollution in places like Haverford Township, which is on the flight path of Runway 17-35, about seven miles away.

Residents who have concerns or who want to comment on the runway expansion and its potential environmental impact are encouraged to attend Mondays public hearing. If you cannot attend Mondays hearing in Folsom, three others will be held during the week in the region. They are scheduled as follows:

·7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 16 at West Deptford High School Auditorium, 1600 Crown Point Road in Westville, N.J.

·7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Brandywine High School Auditorium, 1400 Foulk Road in Wilmington, Del.

·7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18 at Eastwick at the Meadows, 6630 Lindbergh Boulevard in Philadelphia

A draft copy of the Environmental Impact Statement can be reviewed online at the following Web site: www.phlrunway17-35eis.com, and at the Haverford Township Free Library. More information about the draft EIS and the runway expansion project is available on the Web site or by contacting Susan McDonald, FAA Environmental Protection Specialist, c/o VHB, 101 Walnut St., P.O. Box 9151, Watertown, MA 02471-9151; phone (717) 730-2833.

Michael J. Herzing
Deputy Director
Legislative Communications Office
PA House of Representatives
G-18 Irvis Office Building
PHONE: 717-787-7895
FAX: 717-772-9930
  ¶ 11/12/2004