Environmental impact of airport runway extension a major concern

Residents have expressed concerns over the potential environmental impact of the proposed expansion of the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport runway, particularly on Trellis Bay and the surrounding marine environment.

At a business case meeting held on Tuesday, November 26, at Elmore Stoutt High School, several local residents raised alarms about how the runway extension could affect both the bay and the wider environment. The current runway length of approximately 4,500 feet is proposed to be extended by 2,400 feet to a total of 7,000 feet, but some residents are concerned about the long-term effects.

Irreversible damage

One local resident questioned the benefits of the extension, saying, “The extension doesn’t necessarily give us growth, it takes away a lot from our environment, including the functionality of one of our central bays.” He emphasized that the proposed expansion could irreversibly damage the transit hub that Beef Island represents. Jeffrey Seider, a global advisor with WSP Group — the consultancy firm tasked with attracting investors for the project — acknowledged that while the expansion may limit free access to the bay, it would still allow for a navigable channel.