US$1.6 billion redevelopment planned for Cleveland airport

THE mayor of Cleveland Frank Jackson has unveiled a US$1.6 billion master plan for the redevelopment of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport over the next two decades.


As part of the plan, airport authorities will expand the roadways leading to and out of the airport, boost the capacity for air cargo handling, and upgrade facilities for aircraft maintenance. A number of safety improvements on the airfield are already underway, reports Crain's Cleveland Business.


It said that demand will dictate the pace of the airport's redevelopment as there is no set timetable for the proposed works. Mayor Jackson was cited as saying that Cleveland authorities will proceed cautiously, watching how traffic grows.


"This is a demand-driven process, which means if there is no demand there is no investment," he said. "Our goal is to create a highly competitive facility so we can be competitive nationally and internationally."


The mayor expects 44 per cent of improvement costs will be financed by the federal government through fees paid by passengers. The city will pay for 28 per cent of the expansion costs, and the remainder will likely come from the private sector.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)