JWA work could begin soon

Construction for an expansion project approved last October for John

Wayne Airport could begin before the year is out.

Airport spokeswoman Jenny Wedge said an exact timeline for

construction has not been set. Workers could begin the expansion this

fall by reconfiguring a facility used to store aircraft that stay at

the airport overnight.

Wedge declined to give cost estimates since that data has not yet

been released to all members of the Orange County Board of

Supervisors.

Supervisors passed the expansion’s environmental report in October

2004. The plan includes a new terminal, space for federal authorities

-- including U.S. Customs -- and a new parking structure.

If customs officers are assigned to John Wayne, the airport would

be able to add international flights, Wedge said.

The possibility of increased traffic at John Wayne Airport has

long been a controversial issue in the Newport-Mesa area. Newport

Beach City Manager Homer Bludau said Newport officials are not

worried by the planned growth at John Wayne because the airport does

not have permission to exceed passenger limits.

“Just because they’re adding more terminals doesn’t mean all hell

is going to break loose,” Bludau said.

A settlement agreement limits the number of flights and passengers

at the airport. The deal also sets a curfew for flights, all with the

goal of reducing noise around the airport. Until 2011, the airport is

limited to serving 10.3 million passengers per year. The allowable

number increases to 10.8 million until 2015, when the settlement

expires.

In early July, the Costa Mesa City Council passed a resolution

backing the Irvine-based AirFair, a group that opposes additional

growth at John Wayne. AirFair spokeswoman Melinda Seely said group

members were not glad to see more construction at the airport.

However, AirFair members are primarily focused on maintaining

passenger limits and flight curfews, which they want to see in place

“forever and ever, amen.”

“It’s not OK, but it’s a done deal,” Seely said.

The expansion plan would give the airport a total of 20 passenger

gates, up from the current number of 14. The six new gates would be

part of a new three-level, 320,000-square-foot terminal that is

planned to be built south of the current terminal. The planned

multi-level parking structure would have 3,200 spaces.

Under existing plans, the expansion would be completed in 2010,

Wedge said.

* ANDREW EDWARDS covers business and the environment. He can be

reached at (714) 966-4624 or by e-mail at o7andrew.edwards@

latimes.comf7.