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Q. What alternatives are currently being considered for this project? 
A. Currently, two alternatives are being considered: the 1,500 foot runway extension (Alternative 1) and the No Action Alternative. Early in the environmental process, an 1,800 foot runway extension was considered; however, this alternative has been dismissed from further consideration in the Environmental Assessment.
Q. Where is Kincaid Park in comparison to the project?
A. This proposed project would not occur within Kincaid Park. The boundary of the park is approximately 1,740 feet south of the proposed project area.
Q. Is the runway extension project on airport-owned land?
A. The footprint of the 1,500 foot runway extension alternative would be within existing airport boundaries; however, the approach lighting towers for this alternative would extend west approximately 1,500 feet beyond airport boundaries. The footprint of the 1,800 foot extension and the approach lighting towers for this alternative would extend approximately 350 feet and 1,900 feet beyond the existing airport boundaries respectively. Both build alternatives would require necessary right-of-way from the Municipality of Anchorage Heritage Land Bank.
Q. What impacts will this project have on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail?
A. There will be no direct physical impacts to the Coastal Trail. The proposed project would not result in relocation of the trail. Indirect impacts to trail users could include increased noise from planes landing closer to the trail and visual impacts due to the construction of the light towers and clearing vegetation. A noise analysis will be conducted to determine project impacts, and the results will be included in the environmental assessment.
Q. What are the project benefits?
A. The benefits of this proposed project may include more on-time departures and arrivals of both passenger and cargo planes. Cargo planes will no longer be forced to use the taxiway in front of the passenger terminal, so congestion will be eased and aircraft traffic should run more smoothly and efficiently on the ground at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC).
Q. How does this project fit within the current ANC master planning process?
A. The ANC master planning effort has been suspended indefinitely due to uncertainty and instability in the aviation industry. This project is separate from the master planning effort because it is needed to address existing congestion issues at the airport.
Q. Will the proposed project result in more noise for residential areas?
A. At this point it is unknown. A detailed noise analysis is being undertaken, and more comprehensive information regarding noise impacts will be available to the public during later phases of the environmental process.
Q. Will there be any impacts to plane traffic at Lake Hood?
A. Lake Hood traffic patterns will not be impacted or altered by the proposed runway extension project. The extension will impact traffic patterns on the ground at the airport, and it will result in more efficient movement of planes into and out of the airport.
Q. Will the extension result in more on time departures and arrivals?
The proposed runway extension project will increase operational efficiency and reduce airplane ground congestion at the airport. Airplane passengers will likely notice fewer delays and less time spent sitting on the tarmac or taxiways.
Q. Will the lengthened runway be able to handle larger cargo planes?
A. The purpose of the proposed runway extension is to increase efficiency for the current aircraft fleet mix at the airport. It is not anticipated that the proposed extension would entice larger cargo planes to the airport.
Q. Could these improvements lead to on the ground accidents?
A. All the proposed components (runway extension, taxiway improvements) will be designed following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards. FAA considers safety as its highest priority. The planes would generally slow to 10-15 miles per hour before exiting the runway.
Q. Will the runway projects cause more planes to takeoff to the east (towards neighborhoods)?
A. The purpose of this proposed project is to improve efficiency at the airport by reducing aircraft taxi delays and minimizing ground congestion created by planes landing on Runway 7R. The purpose is not to increase takeoffs in any direction, including takeoffs to the east. This proposed project would not create a longer runway for takeoffs; pilots would have to “back taxi” from Taxiway K on Runway 7R to use a longer runway, and this would add to airplane runway occupancy times.
Q. How can I be involved?
A. Visit this website for regular updates, attend public meetings during scoping and after the release of the draft environmental assessment, and submit comments here. We look forward to hearing from you! |
