Construction at McCarran irks neighbors

By Ashley Livingston (contact)

Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008 | midnight

A six-month construction project at McCarran International Airport has caused concern about increased noise levels due to changes in the flight pattern.

The $75 million project, an upgrade of the surface of one of the airport's runways, will leave only three runways available for air traffic.

The Federal Aviation Administration has determined runway configurations to be used during the construction and one Green Valley resident is not happy about the changes.

Resident Dave Desmarais, who said he has lived east of the airport at Green Valley Parkway and Sunset Road for 15 years, said since the construction began noise coming from departing flights has greatly increased.

He said between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. he's been hearing sound from departing planes that has been loud enough to shake the house.

FAA Spokesman Ian Gregor said residents can expect at times a change in air traffic patterns as a result of the project.

"At times we're using certain runway configurations more often than we used them when we had four runways available," he said

The current preferred configuration, which refers to the way the runways are used and from which direction planes will take off and land, sends planes off to the east, he said.

That particular runway configuration is considered the optimal use of space because it allows for the highest rate of arrivals and departures and it will be the configuration used as long as weather permits.

"We're hoping to be able to use that 60 percent of the time," Gregor said.

Desmarais said he's not happy about the project's expected completion date.

"If its going to last until May, I think there will be a lot of people upset," he said. "I wouldn't mind putting up with it for a little while, but six months is a long time."

Also, later this month, a four-way traffic signal is set to begin operating at Sunset Road and Bermuda Road.

The intersection is west of the on and off ramps that link Sunset Road with the Interstate 215 Airport Connector.

McCarran spokesman Chris Jones said the signal was requested, coordinated and paid for by the county Department of Aviation to give construction vehicles access on and off of the runway site that is being rehabilitated.

Airport officials urge drivers to use caution when in this area because of the construction traffic.

Private vehicles will not have access to the construction site north of the intersection. Once construction is complete, a temporary construction access gate at the north end of the intersection will be closed.

The signal will remain in place as a three way intersection, Jones said.

The project is also expected to affect flight arrival and departure times. The length of delays will vary based on factors including the severity of the weather and the number of flights scheduled to arrive or depart at a given time.

Ashley Livingston can be reached at 990-8925 or ashley.livingston@hbcpub.com.