PROVIDENCE – Members of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce last week met to voice their support for T.F. Green Airport improvements, including the southern expansion of the runway to 8,700 feet.
The expansion would include adding a bend to Main Avenue and moving the intersection of Post and Airport roads to the north. Early this month, the Federal Aviation Administration chose the plan, called B4, as the preferred expansion.
Along with the taking of up to 201 houses, the plan requires the acquisition of 10 businesses, according to the R.I. Airport Corporation.
“In today’s challenging economic climate it is more important than ever for Rhode Island businesses, employees and residents to send a clear and loud message that our state is open for business and travel,” chamber President Laurie White said. “Extending the runway and much needed infrastructure improvements will put us in a position to meet the needs or airlines and air travel consumers while at the same time positively impacting our economic future.”
RIAC also endorses the plan.
Last month, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedesian said the plan ignores the city’s concerns about “flawed findings predicated on … 2004 forecasts and assumptions of service and fleet mix that are no longer valid.”
The R.I. Airport Corporation (RIAC) is a quasi-public organization, based at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, that oversees T.F. Green and the state’s five general aviation airports. Additional information is available at PVDAirport.com
