$6.4 billion PHL airport expansion moves forward after agreement with neighboring town

After a landmark settlement with a neighboring township, the Philadelphia International Airport is ready to move forward with a $6.4 billion expansion. As part of the agreement announced Monday, 300 residents in 72 Tinicum Township homes will not be displaced.

The agreement between the City of Philadelphia, Delaware County, Tinicum Township and Interboro School District comes after eight long years of disagreements and litigation over the Capacity Enhancement Program, which aims to expand and modernize PHL.

The multi-billion dollar expansion program is expected to be completed in phases over 12 to 15 years.

Under the proposed plan, the airport will expand using large undeveloped parcels of land, leaving the existing neighborhood east of 4th Avenue intact.

Since 2007, airport payments to Delaware County stakeholders had been stalled. The new agreement restarts those payments.

Tom McGarrigle, chairman of Delaware County Council said the agreement equals jobs.

“This agreement maintains the quality of life for the airport’s neighbors and will mean jobs for Delaware County residents,” said McGarrigle. “It means thousands of direct construction jobs for our region. It means more jobs associated with the airport and its operations. And it will mean expanded access to overseas markets and more opportunities for Delaware County businesses, which is good for the economic growth of our county as a whole."

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said the city needs a "premier airport."

“Today, I am proud to witness this historic announcement today, which will expand the airport and lead to the growth of our regional economy, more jobs and more economic opportunities for residents and businesses," he said. "The competitiveness of our region and the entire state is tied to the success of PHL — and by extension, its expansion.”

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal