After 15 years of debate and study, the FAA has finally endorsed the runway expansion at the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport.  The airport is one of the nations fastest growing and community leaders are still saying we need the expansion.  While air traffic has slowed, it will not be permanent.  Moving forward now could position us to be ready for the rise in traffic.  Currently, there are still delays at the airport that this expansion could help ease. 

The planned expansion would involve the east end of the small runway. They would elevate and extend it over U.S. 1 and the Florida East Coast railroad tracks. The Dania Cut-Off Canal would be the west end of the runway.  The 13/31 Runway, which runs diagonally across the airfield, would be closed permanently. (info from the Miami Herald.)

The project is projected to cost about $810 Million and would take about 4 years to complete.  It would also create jobs for those in the construction industry, which is good news.

Of course there are residents and environmental activists that are looking at their legal options to fight the expansion.  It's too early to tell if they will have any course of action to start that would block the project.