Stratford should back off on airport

5/31/07
It’s not an airport expansion, and Stratford would be smart to let it happen.
Sikorsky Memorial Airport, owned by Bridgeport but within the bounds of Stratford, was finally approved this week for a "safety zone" at the end of its main runway. The work, approved by the state Department of Transportation and long recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration, requires moving Main Street a short distance toward the water. It will put more space between the end of the runway and the road running past it; the runway would not be even a foot longer.
It’s a good idea, and one that is long overdue. A 1994 plane crash at that spot killed eight people, and safety changes should have immediately followed that tragedy. Instead, there’s been nothing but obstruction from Stratford, especially the nearby Lordship neighborhood. Carefully examined, though, it’s clear this plan benefits everyone.
Main Street floods frequently in that area, and with only two roads reaching that far south, it can be a major inconvenience. But experts say the realigned road would be less prone to washouts.
Also, the spot where Main Street runs into Stratford Road has poor sightlines; it’s a regular scene of traffic accidents. The revamped roadway would soften the turns, and improve driver safety.
Throw in the fact that the federal government will pay for 90 percent of the work, with most of the rest paid for by the state, and there’s little reason to put up any roadblocks.
Stratford Rep. Terry Backer says he will push for legislation that would require the town’s approval before work starts, but he should back off. This plan is a winner for everyone, and safety should come first.
The runways are in need of repair, but the FAA won’t help defray that cost unless its safety recommendations are enacted. Stratford may have been gambling that by fighting the safety work they could keep airport traffic limited, but that’s a poor strategy. The airport is not going away, and it’s improper to use safety improvements as leverage in this kind of dispute.
Stratford is justifiably worried about an actual airport expansion, which could mean more planes, more traffic and more noise. But this isn’t the expansion they’ve been fearing.