The price tag for the long-discussed expansion of
Philadelphia International Airport, including a controversial new runway, has
grown to a total $7.47 billion - more than $1 billion above the last estimate.
CH2M Hill, the Denver-based engineering and construction
firm hired by the city to lead the project-management team, recalculated the
numbers based on 2013 dollars. The old tab, $6.4 billion, was based on 2010
financial data.
The Federal Aviation Administration's original estimate was
$5.2 billion in 2005.
Airlines that use the airport, led by newly merged US
Airways and American, say the cost - much of which they will pay - will be
about $10.5 billion over 12 to 15 years of construction.
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The airlines favor much of the plan, but not the proposed
new, $1.9 billion runway, which they say won't seriously ease congestion and
would be costly because it would require relocating and building a new United
Parcel Service airfreight facility and in-filling acreage in the Delaware
River.
Last year, airlines approved $734 million in capital
improvements at the airport. The projects are in various stages of discussion,
planning, design, and, soon, construction.
Here's a breakdown of what the airlines support:
Lengthen a main east-west runway by 1,500 feet to 12,000
feet, and improve taxiway and aircraft holding areas on the airfield to better
queue planes for departure.
The taxiway work has been designed, and a construction
contract will be awarded for work to begin this summer, said Chellie Cameron,
deputy aviation director for finance and administration.
A design contract for the runway extension itself is
"ready to be awarded. We would hope that construction could begin next
year," Cameron said. Radar equipment will have to be moved, and "that
work is out to bid."
Redesign the Terminal B and C ticketing areas, with new
automated baggage handling and screening and a centralized, spacious
passenger-security checkpoint.
US Airways and American want to manage the design and
construction of what is the heart of their "mainline" operation. So
far, the airport hasn't agreed "to relinquish all control of the
design," Cameron said. "I'm hopeful in the next couple months we'll
have the agreement finalized."
In 2007, airlines approved $40 million for the B-C Terminal
design, and in 2013 authorized $200 million to begin construction.
Replace current rental-car surface lots with a multistory,
consolidated rental-car building. It will require 18 to 24 months to work with
rental car companies on a business agreement and design.
Perform initial design for an automated "people
mover" to transport passengers between terminals, making it easier to
connect to flights. "We are working through some concepts right now,"
Cameron said.
Make security upgrades, roof and window replacements, and
improvements to escalators, restrooms, roadways, concessions, and
flight-information displays. "We are either in design, out to bid, or in
the process of awarding contracts for all the rehabilitation and repair
work," Cameron said.
Separately, the city and airport recently announced an agreement
to pay about $3 million a year - funded largely by the airlines - to
neighboring Tinicum Township, Delaware County, and Interboro School District.
Two-thirds of the airport is in Tinicum.
US Airways and American, which transport nearly 80 percent of
air travelers in Philadelphia, reiterated concern Wednesday about the cost, and
the timing of a new runway.
"Proceeding with implementation of the runway too soon
would eliminate PHL's strategic cost advantage over other hubs in the
region," said spokeswoman Andrea Huguely. "Moreover, a new runway
will not solve the delay problem without significant airspace changes in the
region. We continue to have discussions with the airport as well as other
carriers that serve PHL on this important issue."
Airport CEO Mark Gale and Mayor Nutter have said the
multi-billion-dollar expansion is critical to the economic health and growth of
the region, and will create thousands of jobs.
"It's important for us to keep this program reasonable,
and do projects when they are needed," Cameron said. "We want the
costs to remain at a competitive level. That can only happen when you work in
partnership with the airlines and figure out what makes sense in terms of
timing and project scope at the time."
Source: Philly.com
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