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Santa Monica Firms Contract for Shorter SMO Runway
The Santa Monica city council in California has agreed to a $3.5 million “guaranteed maximum price” contract to Aecom to shorten the runway at Santa Monica Airport (SMO) from 5,000 feet to 3,500 feet. The August 8 approval of the contract is in line with the city’s timeline to begin work on shortening the runway in October and complete the project by December 7, when new FAA charts are ready for release. (www.ainonline.com) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
The mental midgets at SMO in charge should just end it.......stick a big orange balloon in the middle of the runway and give sightseeing rides......
This is about a small group of rich people in Sunset Park who have spent a gizillion dollars to stop planes from flying over their houses. I doubt they will ever realize in property value the amounts of money they have spent. There is no "People's Republic of Santa Monica" going on here. The issue is NIMBY (not in my backyard) pure and simple. It is about lawyers, influence peddling, campaign contributions and wealthy and selfish snobs. Most of the rest of the city doesn't care about the airport (by a few hundred votes) and the FAA caved when they held all the cards. The city does not even control the land the airport is on. It is perpetually leased to the Federal Government. Shameful, and another instance of a narrow group acting against the public interest.
The template here does not bode well for GA or suburban airports surrounded by growth which is why the FAA should have stood up to the airport opponents. How the city can justify 3.5 million for an action which will be moot in a few years (when the airport closes) is beyond me and a tribute to the power of wealthy homeowners. These are the same kind of people who try to close access to public beaches. Sad.
The template here does not bode well for GA or suburban airports surrounded by growth which is why the FAA should have stood up to the airport opponents. How the city can justify 3.5 million for an action which will be moot in a few years (when the airport closes) is beyond me and a tribute to the power of wealthy homeowners. These are the same kind of people who try to close access to public beaches. Sad.
Well written Scott. No doubt you're right.
It seems to me that repainting the lines and numbers, and adjusting the lighting would accomplish the same thing at significantly less cost. The only paving needed would be run up area and intersection at runway's end. The fight will come when they decide which end. Politicians are always willing to accept the low bid on the highest cost of any project
I think they ought to rotate the runway 90 degrees. Make it 3500 ft long, but 4800 ft wide. That should be following the rules.
Here is Hoping the next Airport they shorten is Carlsbad (KCRQ). People in SOCALknow what right for there community. They have increase Bus service to downtown and reduced commerce into SMO area. SMART MOVE!