JFK project could cause more jet noise in Valley Stream

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Valley Stream may soon be seeing — or, more accurately, hearing — up to 30 percent more air traffic, as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey continues its work at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

The authority’s board of commissioners announced on Oct. 17 that it had approved a $355 million project for the rehabilitation of JFK’s Runway 13L-31R and the addition of a high-speed taxiway, part of a package of repairs and system-enhancing projects to improve airport travel.

The 10,000-foot-long runway, which extends east and west on the airport’s north side and handles almost half of its arriving planes, will be rebuilt with concrete rather than asphalt for more long-term durability. The project is scheduled to begin next April, and to be completed by November.

“Runway rehabilitation is an essential part of the Port Authority’s state-of-good-repair initiatives at its airports and our continuing efforts to ensure world-class operations,’’ Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said in a news re-lease. “This infrastructure investment will enhance the efficiency of aircraft movements on the ground, while the use of concrete will shorten the project’s timetable and increase the lifespan of the runway.”

But because of the project, other runways may see an increase in arrivals and departures of 35 to 70 percent, according to the Port Authority. That could mean more jet noise for Nassau County residents.

“We, of course, understand that this work will be a burden on our residents and at times difficult to endure in our day-to-day lives,” Valley Stream Mayor Ed Fare said in a statement. “In light of the enhanced safety that the runway construction is expected to bring, it is an inconvenience that we anticipate will bring needed safety and life-saving improvements to the air-traveling public.”

Fare added, “It is crucial that our voices be heard through the process to ensure the least amount of disruption to Valley Stream residents as possible.”

Jana Goldenberg, co-chairwoman of advocacy group Plane Sense 4 Long Island, agreed, saying that there has never been so much jet noise in Nassau County. “We still have a long fight ahead of us,” Goldenberg said. “The problem is, we don’t have enough people fighting the fight.”

Larry Hoppenhauer, executive director of the Town-Village Aircraft Safety & Noise Abatement Committee, said that Nassau County is underrepresented in the roundtable discussions between the Port Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration. Hoppenhauer previously told the Herald that one of his goals was to encourage more involvement on the part of federal officials.

“The Port Authority and the FAA have shown commitment to those meetings, and they’re always willing to share some information,” Hoppenhauer said, “but it seems that it’s been very hard at the roundtable to get people together. I would still like to see all of those lines of communication open up.”

TVASNAC’s jurisdiction includes Atlantic Beach, Cedarhurst, Lawrence, Woodsburgh, East Williston, Floral Park, Garden City, Malverne, New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor and Valley Stream. All are villages. Hoppenhauer said that JFK’s project is badly needed, but he hopes something will be done to limit jet noise.

“It’s a good thing, it’s a safety thing, and I understand that this is for the betterment and improvement of JFK’s airport,” he said, “but I’d like to know what they’re going to do to mitigate the increase in traffic.”

Elaine Miller, the other co-chairwoman of Plane Sense 4 Long Island, said that in order for Nassau County residents to be heard, they must make a more concerted effort to push for legislation. “I think that we’re always the forgotten child, and I think that because the airplanes are located in Queens, I think they pay more attention to that,” she said. “However, we get the same amount of air traffic, and at times, worse. It’s very disheartening to us here in Nassau County, because we feel as though there’s nothing that we can do, but we have to keep fighting.”

The Port Authority was scheduled to make a presentation about the JFK Redevelopment Plan at the VFW on Merrick Road on Wednesday, after the Herald went to press.

Melissa Koenig contributed to this story.