Residents of New Haven and East Haven gathered at the Nathan Hale auditorium to express their concerns over the proposed expansion of Tweed New Haven Airport. The expansion, which includes a new terminal and extended runway, is set to begin construction in 2027.

Concerns Over Traffic and Environment

Many residents voiced their concerns over the potential increase in traffic and environmental pollution that the expansion could bring. Kathleen Spencer, a resident of East Haven, described an incident where an aviation fuel truck ran a red light on her street, highlighting the need for improved traffic management.

Other residents, such as Laura McHugh and her wife Lisa Ventura-McHugh, expressed concerns over the impact of the expansion on their daily lives, including the increased traffic and noise pollution. Katherine Bennett, a resident of East Haven, brought up environmental concerns, stating that the expansion is a step backwards in the fight against climate change.

City and airport officials, including Mayor Justin Elicker and Avports CEO Marc Ricks, were in attendance to address the concerns of the residents. They emphasized the importance of the expansion for the local economy and the need for collaboration between the city, airport, and residents.

Memorandum of Understanding

A new memorandum of understanding (MOU) was presented at the meeting, which outlines the city’s and airport’s commitment to working together to address the concerns of the residents. The MOU is seen as a step towards a more collaborative and open dialogue between the city, airport, and residents.

Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.