Search
 

Town Sues Massport Over Runway; Future of Plan Unclear After Attacks

HULL, MA-This town files a lawsuit against the Massachusetts Port Authority in an attempt to block the development of a new runway at Logan International Airport. The agency defends the need for the runway but insists that it focusing almost exclusively on security issues.

By Naomi Grossman | Updated on October 18, 2001

HULL, MA-This town has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts Port Authority accusing the agency of lying to the state environmental agency over the impact of a new runway at Logan International Airport. Hull, along with a number of other local towns, are trying to block the development of the proposed runway but officials at Massport tell GlobeSt.com say that after the terror attacks, their focus is no longer on the expansion.

Town manager Phil Lemnois tells GlobeSt.com that in its lawsuit the town contends that Massport underestimated the noise impact of the proposed runway by 900% and failed to disclose all the types of aircraft it would accommodate. The lawsuit also maintains that Massport didn’t identify flight tracks or explore alternatives sufficiently. “The thrust is we feel that they omitted a serious amount of information that would allow people reviewing the information to have a clear picture,” he says. “We believe the material was prepared with the intent to deceive.” Hull along with Hingham, Cohasset, Revere, Everett, Winthrop and Somerville–which are all contributing financially to the lawsuit–are concerned about the increase in air traffic a new runway will bring over their towns. According to Lemnois, the air traffic will impact the property values, the air quality and the noise in Hull and its neighboring towns.

The runway still needs to go through the Federal Aviation Administration environmental process and needs to get a court order to lift an injunction on building a new runway at Logan. The city of Boston is in the process of trying to prevent that injunction from being lifted. Lemnois says that he hopes that the information that Hull provides in the lawsuit will help the FAA come to its decision. “It’s impossible to come to a proper decision with flawed material,” he notes. The new runway was approved by the state’s environmental agency.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.