Would Measure Levels Before, During And After Closure For Runway Shortening

The Santa Monica Airport Commission has has requested a special study of pollution levels to be conducted before, during and after Santa Monica Airport's sole runway is closed while it is reduced in length.

The study was first proposed by Airport Commissioner Suzanne Paulson, a professor at UCLA with expertise in the field, earlier this month. It is not known if the City Council will approve funding for the study.

The runway is being shortened as part of the city's agreement with the FAA to eventually close the airport in 2028. The shorter runway will mean a lot of jet traffic will be moved to other airports in the region.

The Santa Monica Lookout reports that the board of the Friends of Sunset Park, which is the city's eventual plan for the airport property, said that the study is critical to counter "arguments of those who are claiming that aviation operations at the airport only improve the economy and quality of life in Santa Monica.”

The runway work is scheduled to begin this fall, and shorten the runway from 4,973 to 3,500 feet. The measurements would take place over six weeks to assess "real-world emissions of pollutants, including ultrafine particles and black carbon" for "business jets and other aircraft using Santa Monica airport.”

The estimated cost for the study is $100,000, according to the report.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report