Runway extension will affect traffic flow

Public Record, The, Aug 14, 1998

PALM SPRINGS -- Al Smoot, director of transportation, told members of the Airport Commission at its August 5 meeting that plans call for Farrell Drive to be open during the time the main runway at the airport is extended to 10,000 feet.

The airport official said, however, there will be some short detours, particularly near the DMV building, where a curve will be straightened. A small portion of Tachevah will have to be closed for a short period.

Meantime, all property necessary to the Farrell Road changes has been acquired, except for one small piece, which will be taken by the right of eminent domain.

Smoot said about $340,000 would be needed to move some telephone lines in the Farrell Drive area. Grants for about $900,000 are in a fund for such expenses. The Farrell improvements should be completed after the actual runway extension has been laid. They also include building a "noise" wall, which will probably be erected in March.

The transportation director said "all the contractors are on board," and that the project was nearly on schedule. He said structural steel for the outer portion of the octagon-shaped loading and unloading area has been ordered and is being fabricated.

Ground was broken June 8 for the $20.9 million terminal expansion and $6 million runway extension.

The runway extension is needed to permit the long-haul, wide-body planes to use the airport during the hot summer months, when the heat prevents them from taking off with a good margin of take-off room on the runway.