Thursday, 4:30 PM
FAA approves centerfield taxiway at Logan
By Mac Daniel, Globe Staff
The Federal Aviation Administration today approved a controversial centerfield taxiway at Logan International Airport, a solution sought by airport officials to reduce runway incidents, curb delays, and diminish ground noise.
The 9,300-foot centerfield taxiway has had neighbors in East Boston and Winthrop vowing to petition, demonstrate, and seek help from officials to block the project. Opponents claim it would create more noise and air traffic.
Officials from the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Logan, have said that the $50 million taxiway would take two years to build. Construction could begin this year.
The decision comes 1 1/2 years after Logan recorded the most runway incidents of any US airport, including a near-collision on June 9, 2005. Two planes came within 106 vertical feet of each other after being allowed to take off on intersecting runways.
Aviation officials said the centerfield taxiway will reduce such incidents.
