Friday, February 27, 2004
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Friday, February 27, 2004 |
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Brown: FAA not consulted on TDK Blvd. By J. FRANK LYNCH The long-delayed extension of TDK Boulevard across Line Creek, providing a much-needed alternate route between Peachtree City’s industrial park and Coweta County, has apparently hit another snag. The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to release a report next week expressing concern that the agency was never consulted on the road extension, which lies at the north approach to Peachtree City’s Falcon Field Airport, the Citizen has learned. Right-of-way and easement contracts were in the final stages of negotiation and construction was due to start within a matter of weeks on the Fayette County portion of the road, according to city officials, when officials at the FAA learned of the extension. Coweta County officials who are wrapping up the final piece of right-of-way for the property had not heard of the latest developments. “That’s news to me, but I don’t think it’s going to delay the process,” said Coweta County Commission Chairman Vernon “Mutt” Hunter. Coweta County administrator Theron Gay also said that he had not heard of any developments that would stop the project, and the county’s public works department was getting raedy to start construction. Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown said Wednesday the FAA has threatened to withhold all future federal dollars for the expansion, operation and upkeep of Falcon Field if the road is allowed to go through as is, but that could not be confirmed. City Manager Benard McMullen is negotiating with the FAA to come to a workable compromisei that won’t delay the road further. “Falcon Field cannot operate without those federal funds,” said Brown, who headed off the release of the FAA report to the local media by saying he had no hand in delaying the project. “I want everybody to be clear that I am in no way trying to stall TDK Boulevard out of this,” said Brown, who has been accused in some circles for intentionally throwing up roadblocks to construction of the road, for political reasons. “This is something that should have been taken care of years ago, when the road was first proposed,” he said, suggesting that the original engineering consultant used to design the project should share the blame. The FAA oversight came to light as part of the routine process of procurring final easements. Airport Authority Chairwoman Cathy Nelmes said the FAA is reviewing the easements the authority was asked to sign so they city can use some airport property during the construction phase of TDK Boulevard. Nelmes countered Brown, saying there had been no indications the FAA will withhold any money from Falcon Field, but the FAA’s comments on the easements are expected by March 5, Nelmes added. The current location of TDK Boulevard has been on the airport’s plans dating back to the 1980s, Nelmes noted. The easement is near the runway safety zone which is a specially-graded area that allow planes a little extra room on takeoffs and landings in case of emergencies. City and airport officials have been working together on the issue, Nelmes said. When the FAA awards large grants to airports, they get a series of “grant assurances” which if violated would lead the FAA to withhold funds if necessary, Nelmes said. Falcon Field depends on the FAA for grants to aid in land acquisition and capital improvements, Nelmes noted. If and when it gets the go-ahead, the county’s public works department has been assigned to build the Fayette County portion of the road. Public Works Director Lee Hearn said his crews were within a couple of months of finally starting construction. Hearn has not seen the FAA report, but doesn’t believe it’s going to deter the ultimate building of the road. “It might delay us, but I just believe this is another bullet Brown is shooting to stop the road,” Hearn said.
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