No Elevated Runway at FLL
The FAA is nearing its' Record of Decision regarding the proposed elevated runway at Fort Lauderdale International Airport.
This monster runway, (Roughly equal to a 3.6 mile section of the Great Wall of China) if it passes, will be elevated 8 feet at the west end to allow vertical clearance over I-95, and will run uphill over a distance of approximately 8000 feet to an elevation of 43 feet at the east end, passing over US 1 and the Florida East Coast Railroad tracks slightly east of the midpoint.
The bridges to span US 1 and the FEC tracks will be equivalent to 5 stories in height, and will allow aircraft to pass over the traffic below with the FEC tracks being routed through approximately a 1000 foot long tunnel.
There are many options open for expansion at FLL that do not pose the environmental threat, the projected cost of a billion dollars, or the risks involved in this "lack of plan".
An elevated runway presents some inherent safety risks, but when you add slope and bridges into the equation, the risks jump immensely.
1. The risk of terrorist bombing of a 5 story bridge over a six-lane highway at the time a jumbo aircraft is approaching the bridge is extremely high, and could cause hundreds of deaths and injuries both in the aircraft and in vehicular traffic on the ground below, to say nothing of the millions of dollars in damages to infrastructure and equipment.
2. With the variable winds in the Fort Lauderdale area, the high probability of rainstorms and the sudden wind gusts, sometimes violent, the risks of accident on the runway are particularly high.
3. With the runway being elevated to the extent required, the obstacles faced by fire and rescue and triage crews in reaching an accident scene on the runway are nearly insurmountable.
· An accident on the runway resulting in a fire presents the problem of leaking fuel running down the runway spreading fire as it goes, meaning that the fire must be extinguished before rescue and triage can be attempted.
· An accident that forces an aircraft off the runway, such as a crosswind gust in a rainstorm, would result in the aircraft plunging down an embankment, increasing the damage and possible injuries and increasing difficulties in reaching the accident scene.
· An accident anywhere on the runway would mean that fire and rescue and triage teams would have to climb the embankment with rescue vehicles and equipment or drive around the taxi-ways to reach the scene, resulting in a loss of valuable time.
4. An aircraft overshooting the runway in a westerly direction could pass through the EMAS system and end up in the Dania Cutoff Canal, or worse, on I-95.
With the airlines laying-off personnel and downsizing, some leaving FLL for other terminals, and some airlines anticipating bankruptcy, as well as the high cost of fuel reducing the overall number of flights, there is little or no proven need for any expansion.
Please join with us in telling the FAA that this runway is not the most viable option for the expansion of FLL
The FAA is nearing its' Record of Decision regarding the proposed elevated runway at Fort Lauderdale International Airport.
This monster runway, (Roughly equal to a 3.6 mile section of the Great Wall of China) if it passes, will be elevated 8 feet at the west end to allow vertical clearance over I-95, and will run uphill over a distance of approximately 8000 feet to an elevation of 43 feet at the east end, passing over US 1 and the Florida East Coast Railroad tracks slightly east of the midpoint.
The bridges to span US 1 and the FEC tracks will be equivalent to 5 stories in height, and will allow aircraft to pass over the traffic below with the FEC tracks being routed through approximately a 1000 foot long tunnel.
There are many options open for expansion at FLL that do not pose the environmental threat, the projected cost of a billion dollars, or the risks involved in this "lack of plan".
An elevated runway presents some inherent safety risks, but when you add slope and bridges into the equation, the risks jump immensely.
1. The risk of terrorist bombing of a 5 story bridge over a six-lane highway at the time a jumbo aircraft is approaching the bridge is extremely high, and could cause hundreds of deaths and injuries both in the aircraft and in vehicular traffic on the ground below, to say nothing of the millions of dollars in damages to infrastructure and equipment.
2. With the variable winds in the Fort Lauderdale area, the high probability of rainstorms and the sudden wind gusts, sometimes violent, the risks of accident on the runway are particularly high.
3. With the runway being elevated to the extent required, the obstacles faced by fire and rescue and triage crews in reaching an accident scene on the runway are nearly insurmountable.
· An accident on the runway resulting in a fire presents the problem of leaking fuel running down the runway spreading fire as it goes, meaning that the fire must be extinguished before rescue and triage can be attempted.
· An accident that forces an aircraft off the runway, such as a crosswind gust in a rainstorm, would result in the aircraft plunging down an embankment, increasing the damage and possible injuries and increasing difficulties in reaching the accident scene.
· An accident anywhere on the runway would mean that fire and rescue and triage teams would have to climb the embankment with rescue vehicles and equipment or drive around the taxi-ways to reach the scene, resulting in a loss of valuable time.
4. An aircraft overshooting the runway in a westerly direction could pass through the EMAS system and end up in the Dania Cutoff Canal, or worse, on I-95.
With the airlines laying-off personnel and downsizing, some leaving FLL for other terminals, and some airlines anticipating bankruptcy, as well as the high cost of fuel reducing the overall number of flights, there is little or no proven need for any expansion.
Please join with us in telling the FAA that this runway is not the most viable option for the expansion of FLL
I oppose the proposed south runway at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. I don't believe expansion is necessary, particularly in these precarious political, social and economic times. If it is necessary, the north runway option is a better, less disruptive and safer one in my opinion.
This is a terrible idea at the wrong time. It will disrupt neighborhoods and only add to our congestion. The airport is fine just the way it is - noone is having any problems getting in or out of Fort lauderdale except for some ocassional minor delays - lets leave well enough alone.
Why does it seem that the runway expansion proposal that makes the least amount of sense, causes the most amount of damage to the environment by destroying more acreage of the most environmentally sensitive land, would cause the planes to use more jet fuel by virtue of its elevated design and as an added bonus is the most expensive plan seem to be the favored plan. Where is the logic? Or is it just a case of making perfect cents?
pUT THE RUNWAY ON THE NORTHSIDE, THIS MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE.
In the South Florida metropolitan area we suffer from: 1. Overcrowded highways 2. Underdeveloped mass transit 3. A threatened natural environment on both terra firma and ocean 4. An embarrassing state of public education. These are just the tip of the iceberg in the list of grave issues effecting our quality of life. Please explain how expanding the Ft. Lauderdale airport to bring in more people will help solve: 1. The overcrowding 2. Underdeveloped mass transit (especially for the hotels planned along the beaches) 3. The overburdened and distressed natural environment 4. The lack of improvement in a woeful public education system.
Due to the fact that several airlines will no longer be using FLL, and flights are being cancelled we do not need this Elevated Runway.
As the Mayor, City of Dania Beach I am absolutely opposed to the Elevated Runway at FLL. Especially, after seeing that several major airlines have pulled out, due to the fuel crisis and others maybe contemplating the same. To me and many of my citizens, we believe that there is no valid, sound,and logical reasons to uproot families, create misery, chaos as well as run many families out of Broward County, if not out of the entire state. There is another viable option available, with far less collateral damage and cost, construct it north of the main runway. I am quite certain that would cause minimum impact to my city's homes,families and most likely decrease the billion-Plus $'s needed to forge ahead with your present plan!
Why an elevated runway? If you can't put in a North Runway without flyramps, then there should not be an expansion. The projections are wrong, traveler's are flying less and more aircraft companies are altering their routes.
I am all for progress and improving technologies but I have yet to see a valid reason for considering this project. How can anyone validate the scope of this project while statistics prove the need for consumer air travel is dropping ……. rapidly. If fuel prices came down drastically and the cost of travel over all dropped considerably, I might understand the need for this project but to undergo this project just so Broward County has bragging rights is ridiculous. A question for the planners of the project, "Has anyone considered the impact on the existing residents or are we only thinking about bringing in more residents to yet to be developed communities?" Something to think about, huh?
The safety of our citizens as well as passengers is at stake.
I am a big fan of flying and enjoy it but not at the cost of the environment. Florida Needs a reduction in the noise and polution caused by jet aircraft. We need more efficient airports and aircraft not massive monstrosities to blight what formely was a beautiful area.
This construction plan seems to have alot of "holes" in it and needs to be discussed further by the contractors and all that are involved. There is only a "VERY" small amount of land left in our area for the wild life to live in and to be a part of our future as well as our children and their children's future. Is it truly necessary to eat up every "little" parcel of land and do something outrageous with it while many many people are losing their homes due to foreclosures and just "NOT" being able to meet the taxes and insurances that have been put upon us. What is the matter with you "RICH" people..don't you have enough money? There are many other open locations to add an more runway(s)...and extension to the Airport with taking the little bit of land that we "VERY" much enjoy with our families. I know money talks but for once...things have really been awful for middle class and lower income families that you (Corporate Companies), couldn't even begin to imagine..,.but it always seems that we are the ones that have to give up what little we have after living in this area for 20 years...maybe we should be thinking more about that "GUY" upstairs...and give to our own...take care of these United States and stop making the rich....richer and the poor people....poorer...I believe that this year will be the largest amount of homeless people in this area (the Greater Fort Lauderdale area)Everyday I ride around and I haver never seen under 6 dead animals on the street run over by careless people or just not seem by them...remember they were our "FIRST" residents and we just took their homes just like we did the Indians...years ago...I would like to see some of these aniomals around for my Grandchildren and their children...keep eating up their land and we will have nothing left....THERE IS A TIME TO SET YOUR FOOT DOWN AND JUST VERY PLAINLY AND CALMLY ....."JUST SAY...."NO"...."NO MORE DEVELOPMENT...WHATEVER LAND THERE IS...LET OUR CHILDREN...LET US ENJOY IT WHILE WE STILL CAN PRESERVE WHAT WAS SO LOVINGLY, WILLINGLY AND FREELY GIVEN TO US TO TAKE CARE OF." Are we going to destroy all of these small living creatures that are going to be replaced or shoved out of their homes for this construction idea that has SOOOOOOOO Many LOOP-HOLES in it...it could be used as a strainer.... PLEASE NO MORE DEVELOPMENT IN OUR AREA!!! SIGNED: The Raccoons The Armadillos Mr&Mrs.Squirrel The Foxes The Turtles Our nesting Bird families of the Sparrows, Song Birds,Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Black Birds, Orioles, Hawks, Fisher Birds, Cardinals,wild Finches..and many more....Will all of these birds be around next year or year after if these companies are given the "Cart Blanche" to do what they want? We are suppose to be the "United States" of America....when is it going to go back to being just that? "OUR" United States of America... When there is no more room...Nature is precious....we need not destroy ANYMORE of it...NO MORE CONSTRUCTION" "THERE ARE "NO VACANCIES." Go else- where........Go "WEST Young man!"
I am writing to petition against the south runway expansion. The organisation in charge of this project ,does not live in our area, or in our state for that matter, to understand the tremendous impact this will affect our lives,our neigborhoods,pollution, noise impact. , we have lived here for many years, let alone all the , beautiful waterways , wildlife. parks that surround our area and we use and have enjoyed all these years. There is absolutly no resonable reason for this runway to be built here. Take it over to executive airport there's room there. They cannot destroy the little bit of nature we have here that we cherish so much. after all you don't live in this area to even comprehend our way of living. please leave us alone and seek elsewhere to built your project . Dania beach doesn't want it here.!!!!!!!!! , nor will we allow this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t give this much thought, but after reading the above, it now concerns me greatly. I didn’t realize that it would be so long of a run-way section. This will take many more of people’s homes and business. As many others said - Miami and West Palm Beach are two good airports to use along with Ft. Lauderdale. I have been flying all my life and it has been nothing at times to wait even an hour - no one really thought much about the wait than, but now everyone is in such a hurry that waiting 10 minutes is uncalled for. They need to get a life and live in reality. With the economy as it is now - why expand?? Gas Prices are high and even going to be higher - that doesn’t allow for many of our citizens to be able to afford flying or even driving to certain destinations now. Many Americans are choosing to vacation in nearby areas where they live and can easily get to by car or just to stay home. The Government, County and the City HAS NO RIGHT to take homes and/or businesses from our citizens. The airport a few years back had a chance to move and take much of the Weston area before it was known as Weston, but choose not to for various dumb reasons as it seems now. That would have allowed GREAT Growth potential than. Remember that Disney was going to build Disney World in Dade County, but that was shot down? Government, County and City leaders…that is only one of many examples. Also living as long as I have down here in Fla I have also learned that many of our leaders go for the quickest and easiest way without giving other plans a really decent concern and chance. Like the old saying goes … Money talks and bull ___ walks. Will many of our leaders are walking while spending our money foolishly. Yes this plan would hurt this area’s environment greatly - no way it couldn’t. And many areas here in South Florida have been built up while at one time was promised never to be touched. I have been down here in South Florida to personally have seen that happen. So promises from leaders to me - are just that promises that are seldom to be believed and not to be trusted most of the times. Money and what they get out of allowing things to be built or done is more important that what is really right for the people and for our land. During this time of 9-1-1 I understand #1 - for that is used a lot by Government, Cities etc to allow them to do just about anything - including taking personal freedoms away from a regular American Citizen…, but I am more concerned about #2 , #3, and #4 reasons. Another problem is - while downsizing and laying off people from many of the different companies and the airport itself, they are also hiring cheaper labor with hardly any skills (sometimes none) in order to save money and to stay in business. What will these skills be? Airline pilots, air traffic controllers, road repair crews, etc, etc, etc???? The lack of real knowledge and skills increases chances of more things to go wrong with what has been spoken of in the above. In that case, you don’t have the terrorist to worry about - inapt workers, managers, and so-called specialist will do that for them.
I am totally against this expansion,it is already too noisy!
This monster runway going over I-95 in such a populated area is a bad idea. If this country can send a man to the moon, we can surely build a "new airport" in the everglades. It can be done and most people would be happy.
NO ELEVATED RUNWAY AT FLL...Need I say more???
PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS! THERE MUST BE ANOTHER WAY!
This is a really bad idea not only for local residents but also for employee's of FLL.
Please do not allow this runway. My family and I use the airport frequently and know that it is not necessary. The planned reorganization of the gates, more efficient planes and resurfacing of existing runways really has negated the need for this runway.
Bad Idea!!!!!!!
It is time to stop catering to special interests and do what is best for all; the local residents, the taxpayers, the travelers, the environment. It is time to be fiscally responsible and to consider safety for all. This expansion is a bad idea.
