Friday, August 30, 2002

Airport route adjustment

Commuters headed to Hartsfield may have noticed a slight kink in their normally smooth ride to work this week.

Hartsfield International Airport officials announced this week that a half-mile portion of West Fayetteville Road would temporarily detour this week.

The route adjustment is necessary to allow road crews to construct a new four-lane stretch of West Fayetteville Road near the airport.

The detour is scheduled to be completed in approximately 179 days or early next year.

"The temporary route adjustment is an integral part of the airport's $10.7 million Riverdale Road Relocation Project. In addition to the construction of a new four-lane path, crews will install a box culvert to prevent impurities from seeping into Sullivan Creek," said Aviation General Manager Ben DeCosta.

Riverdale and West Fayetteville roads will continue to provide southern access to and from the airport's main terminal complex, Interstate 85 and the city of College Park.

Hartsfield officials began mobilizing crews after a notice-to-proceed was issued April 22.

Aviation representatives are monitoring the project closely to ensure that it adheres to the guidelines and standards set forth by the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Riverdale Road Relocation Project will position crews closer to constructing the area designated for the airport's fifth runway.