Sat, Jul 11, 2009
Kennedy's 13R-31L Slated For Construction Work
At more than 2.75 miles long, the runway is the second longest
in the nation, and it handled more than 143,000 operations last
year. But New York Port Authority officials say it has to be closed
at least four months for construction, and there is just no way
around it.
Never mind that Kennedy Airport consistently ranks at the top of
the nation for delays in the best of times.
"The scope of the project is truly enormous," said William
DeCota, director of aviation for the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey, which operates the New York Area's three primary
airports. "It provides for the replacement of almost three miles of
asphalt pavement."
According to Newsday, the port authority has asked airlines to
adjust their schedules during the construction period, and ATC will
have to adjust traffic patterns, so it is inevitable delays will
increase. FAA Spokeswoman Arlene Salac told Newsday it is unlikely
that airlines will shift flights to other area airports.
The last major construction work on 13R-31L was done in 1993.
This project will begin this month and not fully completed until
November 2011, but the runway is expected to be closed between
March 1st and June 29th of next year, according to The Port
Authorities DeCota. The current asphalt surface will be removed and
replaced with concrete. "It's important for our contractor to get
this done on the schedule it has to be done," DeCota told
Newsday.
The Air Transport Association said it is considering options for
its member airlines that would help reduce expected delays during
construction.
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