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HAPPY NO AIRPORT NEW YEAR .. Initially, I believed an airport didn t fit into the eastern Will County countryside. In 20 years, I have seen nothing to convince me otherwise!
No Airport at Peotone! Full Post View | List View
There is no need for an unwanted airport near Peotone, Illinois.
- Blog continues
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Happy 2008May this be another No Airport New Year!This year, August 2, will mark the 20th anniversary of RURAL, (Residents United to Retain Agricultural Land).Our beliefs were simple in those early days and they continue today. Another airport is not needed and should not be considered until all other options are exhausted. That includes, but is not limited to utilizing existing regional facilities that are presently underutilized.It was clear to see, early on, that what was being called a study was was anything but. Rather it was a manipulatived endeavor meant to satisfy a pre-conceived idea, fueled by real estate investment rather than transportation need. The process was flawed from the beginning. And the shenanigans have continued throughout the last 20 years.The opposition has grown and held steadfast to our early belief that a new airport in the cornfields would never be built because it simply didn't fit.It was the wrong project at the wrong place, at the wrong time.RURAL retired in 1997. The opposition is now led by STAND (Shut This Airport Nightmare Down), whose leadership, once members of RURAL have continued the fight against the proposed airport.I'd like to dedicate this page to the following who did not live long enough to see the airport finally go away. These "freedom fighters" will always be remembered.~~~~~Gerry PacificArline "Maggie" MooreJack RenstromMel MatthiasRandy BunteJohn ZajakalaKen HeisnerCorinne HeisnerHarold TwietmeyerJack Wheeler~~~~If you have names to add to this list, please feel free to add to it.Thank you for visiting this blog these many months!This blog will now continue at the following location:Please click on the link to go to:Please take the time to visit and feel free to comment.Thank you.Wednesday January 2, 2008 - 01:32pm (CST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments
- Entry for May 21, 2007
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FAA study eyes more capacity in 2025by Carol Henrichs
Chicago’s aviation future is positive, despite some concerns for capacity at Midway, according to a recent FAA study -- Capacity Needs in the National Airspace System -- released May 15.
In the Chicago area, the study considered O’Hare, Midway, and the airports at Gary, Milwaukee, and Rockford.
The approval for and beginning of construction of runways in the O’Hare Modernization Program figures prominently in the regional aspect of the report.
In 2003 and 2007, O’Hare was considered in need of additional capacity. And if the improvements planned are not made, additional capacity will be needed.
But the report indicated, "Although O’Hare is shown as needing additional capacity in 2007, the completion of the O’Hare Modernization Program will reduce delays to the point that the airport will not be capacity constrained in the future," according to the report.
"The Chicago Metropolitan Area was not identified as needing additional capacity in 2007 due to the capacity provided by other local airports."
The report also noted that runway improvements at other airports, as well, and numerous site-specific studies are underway.
That is not so with Midway. Even with planned improvements, Midway will have problems with capacity. The report indicated that Midway capacity would have to be monitored between 2007 and 2015.
In the past forty years, only two commercial service airports have been built - Dallas/Ft. Worth and most recently at Denver.
The report indicates that four more airports are needed nationally.
Chicago is one of the metropolitan areas where new airports "are being considered, or might be considered," notes the report
In a preface to the report, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey called the Chicago metropolitan area "a likely candidate" for a new airport.
But, she noted that two projects are in the works to improve airport capacity in the Chicago area, but both face uncertain futures.
The recently released study follows up on the 2003 Future Airport Capacity Task Force (FACT). The Capacity Needs in the National Airspace System, An Analysis of Airport and Metropolitan Area Demand and Operational Capacity in the Future (FACT 1) was published in 2004. The most recent study is being called FACT 2.
Both studies analyzed 291 commercial service airports, which include 35 hub airports, primarily the nation’s largest hubs and 256 commercial service airports as well as 223 metropolitan areas across the country.
Tags: faa, , peotoneairport, southsuburbanairport;peotoneairport, chicago Wednesday January 2, 2008 - 01:28pm (CST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments - Entry for May 22, 2007
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Commentary
FAA report does little for Peotone
by Carol HenrichsI was pleased to see the most recent FAA study (see related story) finally does what Illinois studies have failed to do for 20 years.
The latest report considers Milwaukee, Gary, and Rockford, as well O'Hare and Midway along with their planned improvements, in its analysis of regional capacity. It is about time.
Had the 1987 Chicago Airport Capacity Study done that, it is doubtful that another airport would have been so sought after for the next two decades.
It is mind-boggling to think of what has been wasted in all that time. And how much money has been squanderd in this state’s quest to build its field of dreams?
It was also interesting to note that although there were inferences to a new airport in the recent FAA report, Peotone was not named in it.
Yet despite the lack of evidence that Peotone is imminent, large media outlets continue to claim that the report gives Peotone a real boost.
Some have gone so far as to insinuate that Midway’s future is limited so Peotone can then take over.
This is the same group of media outlets that changes reporters, editors, and owners like pairs of socks. Few have followed the progress of this proposal from those early days to the present. And even for those who did, how much was actually put into the research. How many have questioned agencies, examined the motives of supporters, or investigated faulty claims?
This has certainly not been a print the press release kind of issue, yet that is exactly what many have done.
While the FAA study of capacity in the Chicagoland region appears to be a good one, on its face, it too contains the same flaw as do many government studies.
The type of computer modeling that spits out reports such as this often uses future data that does not reflect reality.
Often times, projections are used to make determinations. This is not unlike gazing into a crystal ball. And, computer modeling is a practice that easily allows cherry-picking selective data which results in a desired outcome.
In addition, government studies take time. Current data soon becomes past history. In an ever-changing marketplace, current trends and updated information is crucial.
Yet, studies often omit current information because it just isn’t possible to keep up with an ever-changing scenario in time for some committee to make a decision.
I recall that just after Sept. 11, 2001, it was business as usual in the aviation industry with respect to Peotone. Just days after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks a deal was cut by former Gov. George Ryan in Springfield to support O'Hare expansion and building Peotone. Though the level of flying activity following that horrific event faltered greatly, industry stocks plummeted and airlines began filing bankruptcy, Peotone supporters remained highly optimistic.
Today, we suffer from ever-increasing fuel prices. Yet, according to the FAA report, the aviation industry assumes a rosy future.
Perhaps the next report, in a year or two, will then reflect today's high gas prices and the higher ticket costs that will likely follow, altering the trend and thus, adjusting capacity needs.
Tags: southsuburbanairport;peotoneairport, faa, , chicago Wednesday January 2, 2008 - 01:11pm (CST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments - Entry for May 22, 2007
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FAA study eyes more capacity in 2025
by Carol HenrichsChicago’s aviation future is positive, despite some concerns for capacity at Midway, according to a recent FAA study -- Capacity Needs in the National Airspace System -- released May 15.
In the Chicago area, the study considered O’Hare, Midway, and the airports at Gary, Milwaukee, and Rockford.
The approval for and beginning of construction of runways in the O’Hare Modernization Program figures prominently in the regional aspect of the report.
In 2003 and 2007, O’Hare was considered in need of additional capacity. And if the improvements planned are not made, additional capacity will be needed.
But the report indicated, “Although O’Hare is shown as needing additional capacity in 2007, the completion of the O’Hare Modernization Program will reduce delays to the point that the airport will not be capacity constrained in the future,” according to the report.
“The Chicago Metropolitan Area was not identified as needing additional capacity in 2007 due to the capacity provided by other local airports.”
The report also noted that runway improvements at other airports, as well, and numerous site-specific studies are underway.
That is not so with Midway. Even with planned improvements, Midway will have problems with capacity. The report indicated that Midway capacity would have to be monitored between 2007 and 2015.
In the past forty years, only two commercial service airports have been built – Dallas/Ft. Worth and most recently at Denver.
The report indicates that four more airports are needed nationally.
Chicago is one of the metropolitan areas where new airports “are being considered, or might be considered,” notes the report
In a preface to the report, FAA Administrator Marion Blakey called the Chicago metropolitan area “a likely candidate” for a new airport.
But, she noted that two projects are in the works to improve airport capacity in the Chicago area, but both face uncertain futures.
The recently released study follows up on the 2003 Future Airport Capacity Task Force (FACT). The Capacity Needs in the National Airspace System, An Analysis of Airport and Metropolitan Area Demand and Operational Capacity in the Future (FACT 1) was published in 2004. The most recent study is being called FACT 2.
Both studies analyzed 291 commercial service airports, which include 35 hub airports, primarily the nation’s largest hubs and 256 commercial service airports as well as 223 metropolitan areas across the country.
Wednesday January 2, 2008 - 01:01pm (CST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments - Entry for April 25, 2007
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Big push for Illiana Expressway,
Decision now in Indiana hands
by Carol HenrichsThe latest push for the decades-old Illiana Expressway proposal came at a recent meeting in Crete sponsored by the Will County Center for Economic Development.
The meeting included Randy Blankenhorn, executive director of Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Blankenhorn urged the group, largely made up of Will County business leaders, that the project is needed now and pressure should be applied to make it happen. CMAP is the group formed by merging the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) and Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC). In essence the two agencies bring together land use planning with transportation needs.
Prior to heading CMAP, Blankenhorn worked for IDOT for more than 20 years. Initially he was an overseer of transportation projects in former Gov. James Thompson’s Build Illinois program. Coincidentally, that is also where the Peotone airport got its official start back in 1985. For nearly as long, the Illiana Expressway shared a place on the same IDOT map of the future.
The notion that the Illiana Expressway is meant to boost the Peotone project lingers, despite Illinois officials who are quick to point out that the two are unrelated.
Yet, opponents of the road and the airport project remember the 1998 environmental impact study of the Peotone project that showed the Illiana as the Northernmost East-West Connector Road. It was identified as part of Peotone’s master plan documents. That was around the same time that the Illiana was also considered to be the third leg of the I-355 extension.
On the other side of the state line, the Illiana Expressway got a boost on Tuesday, April 10, when the Indiana House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill to study the proposal. The vote was 90 to 5.
An amendment, sponsored by Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, included a two-year study of the portion from Interstate 57 in Illinois to Interstate 65 in Indiana.
A bi-partisan committee comprised of eight people, with four from the Senate and four from the House will conduct the study. A description of the need must be included. An evaluation of the feasilibility of an Illiana Toll Road with a cost projection for acquisition, including eminent domain; construction; operation and maintenance; as well as funding must be included.
The study is not to exceed $2 million. And, the study must include an in-depth study of transportation needs of all modes, including air and rail.
While there seems to be little comment from residents in Illinois beyond those from government agencies, about the proposed Illiana expressway, that certainly isn’t the case across the state line.
Taxpaying, traffic-weary Hoosiers have been up in arms about the proposed tollway.
It was public opposition from a meeting of 1,000 opponents that convinced Gov. Mitch Daniels to withdraw his support for the project. The proposal initially extended the Illiana past I-65 to the northern reaches of Porter and LaPorte counties. The proposal has since been pared down to the western portion, that which is what Illinois officials wanted all along – a connection between I-57 and I-65.
Just last week the Lowell Indiana town council took a position against the roadway.
Councilmen said they support the concept of the new expressway, but not its location. They believe Indiana 10, which is east of Momence, would be a more logical choice.
Despite the governor’s withdrawn of support for the entire project, Indiana residents who began a grassroots organization last year, Citizens Against Privatized Illiana Tollroad, (CAPIT) traveled to Indianapolis days ago to register their opposition to the Indiana General Assembly.
A poll in the Chesterton Tribune recently recorded 75-percent of its readers opposed to the Illiana tollway while only 25-percent supported it.
The only legislation being considered in the Indiana General Assembly is the study of the feasibility of the western leg of the tollway – from I-57 to I-65. The session is slated to end April 29.
Opponents from Lake County have also registered significant opposition to the road, with one-thousand signatures on petitions.
Tags: illianaexpressway, idot, indot, peotoneairport Sunday December 30, 2007 - 12:59pm (CST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments
