Aug. 01--NEW HAVEN -- The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a version of the noise-reduction program outlined in Tweed New Haven Regional Airport's recent noise study, opening the door for potential future funding for some of the proposed solutions.
The FAA approved most of the 21 recommendations in the noise study that a consultant for Tweed finished in November 2012. It offered qualified approval or partial approval in several of those cases.
The Record of Approval, including acceptance of noise exposure maps contained in the study, opens the door for funding that would address noise issues for houses within boundaries of an area close enough so airport-related noises top 65 decibels.
Tweed New Haven Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Larson called the approval "an important first step for the airport and its neighbors."
"The Airport Authority will take a close look at what we can do right away to move forward," he said. But, "I don't contemplate buying anybody's home."
The next step will be to seek funding in the 2014 fiscal year to implement two of the recommendations, Larson said. They include: An engineering evaluation of homes within the 65 dB noise contour to determine eligibility for a sound insulation program, and a feasibility study for a noise barrier on the west and east sides of the airport boundary along Burr Street and Thompson Avenue.
The study identified houses that fall within the 65 dB level, and as part of the engineer evaluation, "We would test those houses and just try to figure out how loud it is inside those houses and devise a plan," Larson said.
Options available -- all voluntary -- include soundproofing such as double-pane windows at affected homes, as well as construction of a noise barrier, a representative of the Virginia-based consultant that did the study, Wyle Aerospace Group, previously told the Tweed Authority.
The funding issue is important, however, because "we don't have any money right now to do that," said Larson. "Getting the money is critical, because we have none."
The noise study analyzed flight paths, weather patterns, hours of operation and the types of aircraft that use Tweed. The data then was used to model the average decibel levels at properties surrounding the airport and plot noise levels on noise exposure maps.
The FAA uses the maps to determine which properties may be eligible for federal funds.
The study also examined land use and zoning near Tweed, although implementation of any recommendations would fall within the discretion and authority of city of New Haven and the town of East Haven. Tweed straddles the border between the two municipalities and is located in both.
Among various land-use planning measures the study recommended were establishing an airport noise overlay district and requiring real estate disclosure. It also recommended potential building code modifications that would require use of sound insulation materials such as windows and doors designed to reduce transmission of outdoor sound to the interior of homes.
The study found, among other things, that aircraft noise around Tweed is likely to increase by 2017 but can be mitigated with a number of noise-reduction measures.
It identified nine houses, primarily along Burr Street, directly opposite Tweed's passenger terminal in New Haven, that are most affected by current noise.
The study forecast an increase in noise levels by 2017 because of modest general aviation growth and a "planned new commercial service introduction" to Washington Dulles International Airport and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, according to a visual presentation the consultant previously presented to the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority.
Copyright 2013 - New Haven Register, Conn.
