Logan taxiway study finds no new ways to cut noise, pollution

A recent federal evaluation of the environmental impact of a proposed centerfield taxiway at Logan International Airport has found that nothing more can be done to reduce the noise and air pollution it may cause in East Boston and Winthrop neighborhoods.

The report, an additional review of an environmental impact statement issued four years ago, was completed June 30 and will be released tomorrow by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA had deferred approval of the taxiway because of community opposition. The agency conducted the review to see if anything could be done to alleviate residents' concerns about jet noise, exhaust, and ground vibrations.

The report's release kicks off a 30-day public comment period that will end Aug. 21. The FAA is expected to make a decision by early fall.

``We look forward to constructing this important taxiway," said Danny Levy, spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which oversees Logan.

The 9,300-foot taxiway, to be built alongside a new runway, is supposed to reduce flight delays and airplane traffic congestion by clearing jets off runways, according to Massport officials.

The taxiway will also eliminate some of the intersections where recent runway incursions have taken place, said Jim Peters, spokesman for FAA's New England region.

If the FAA approves the $51.3 million taxiway, construction is scheduled to start in May 2008 and be completed by July 2010.

Opponents to the project said the environmental report did not examine all the potential health risks and did not measure finer pollutants because the federal government does not require it to.

``The report tells the truth, but it doesn't tell the whole truth," said Arthur Flavin, a Winthrop resident and a member of Massport's Centerfield Taxiway Committee. ``They recommend nothing because they're using decades-old pollution criteria to justify saying that the centerfield taxiway will not cause any harm."

John Vitagliano, a Winthrop resident and former Massport board member for 14 years, calls the taxiway an ``800-pound gorilla" that would have environmental consequences because it would put idling planes 1,000 feet closer to residential neighborhoods. He also said the new taxiway could lead to more runway incursions, rather than less, if it leads to more plane traffic at the airport. He said a lawsuit is possible if the project proceeds.

``I think they've trivialized what the increase in noise and pollution is going to be," Vitagliano said.

Peters said the FAA abides by current federal standards. The public can e-mail comments about the report to the FAA at john.silva@faa.gov.

Tracy Jan can be reached at tjan@globe.com.