Airport Construction Update - May 5, 2017
Below is an e-mail I recently received in response to questions I have raised with the GTAA which I would like to share with residents:
From: Marshall, Hillary
Sent: 2017/05/03
To: Chris Fonseca
Subject: Runway Rehabilitation Project
Dear Councillor Fonseca,
Since our last CENAC meeting, we have taken a number of steps to communicate more directly to residents.
At the CENAC meeting, we committed to sending a follow-up communication with information requested by attendees during the meeting. This was sent on Friday, April 28, 2017 to all attendees that provided their email address and permission to contact them.
We have also worked to communicate directly to other households using postal drops, print newspaper ads and targeted online digital ads. We've shared updates through our community newsletter, our website, our social media channels and working with local news outlets and elected officials. I've attached a chart with an overview of these activities and timing.
We will continue to communicate updates on this phase of the project, which is currently on schedule to be complete May 16, 2017.
In response to your questions:
- Response to request for some reprieve of north/ south runway operations between the hours of 10pm and 6:30am.
We understand that our operations have an impact on our surrounding communities, particularly on your community during this runway rehabilitation project. We also understand that your community is not accustomed to hearing this level of aircraft noise. As we have said, this is due to construction and is not a permanent change to our operations. On a historical basis, we have rarely used the North/South runway operations that affect your Ward during the preferential runway hours (midnight to 6:30am).
During this construction period, we have asked NAV CANADA to configure the preferential runways at night prior to midnight when possible, when weather and traffic demand will allow.
2. Response to request for no departures from runway 33L.
To clarify, East Mississauga is affected by arrivals from the south on Runway 33L and departures to the south on Runway 15R.
As mentioned above, we understand that your community is affected by this construction project, however our runway configuration is determined based on operational and safety requirements.
Starting May 8, our southerly runway configuration may change. For operational reasons, we've asked NAV CANADA to assign departing traffic to Runway 15L rather than 15R, which would reduce air traffic over your community for the remainder of the construction period. We will keep you informed of these changes.
We're also sensitive to the fact that this means new communities will be impacted by these flights, and have been in touch with local elected officials.
We'll be able to update you on this in the next several days.
3. Direct mail correspondence clearly outlining runway operations in all phases and transparent reasons for the operations of the north/south runway.
Toronto Pearson is a major international airport, requiring dynamic operations, especially during this construction period. While we can't commit to specific runway configurations during the project, we want to ensure the community understands the project and its timeline. To this end, we have sent postcards to over 200,000 households that would be affected by this project. Delivery of these should be completed by Canada Post early this week. We have also updated our noise advisory page to outline our runway operations:
4. Clear, transparent information that acknowledges the impacts to the thousands of residents on the Toronto Pearson website and webtrak site. Out of courtesy and respect to the impacted residents, this should have been done immediately following the CENAC meeting.
The GTAA has apologized to the community on behalf of our organization and our partners - NAV CANADA and the airlines - for the disruption caused by this runway rehabilitation project. As outlined above, we have taken a number of steps to communicate directly to affected communities, acknowledging the impact of the project. Our website has been updated numerous times to reflect operational updates. Our website has provided factual information about the project, which will be relevant to all communities searching for information on construction, not only those impacted by North/South operations.
5. Lack of response to Noise Complaints.
We respond to all resident complaints where callbacks have been requested. When we have a significant increase in complaints, such as during this construction, it does take us some time to respond back. The callbacks are often lengthy as the staff take the time to listen to the resident's concerns and provide necessary information. Last week, the Noise Management Team completed over 210 callbacks. This is in addition to speaking with residents who called during office hours to register complaints as well as responding to email inquiries. We are continuing to get back to those who requested a call back this week.
As the airport continues to grow, and airport operations increase in complexity and are more dynamic, we will will continue to be accountable to balancing the interests of the many stakeholders, with diverse and sometimes competing priorities, that we're in business to serve.
While airport noise can't be eliminated entirely, the GTAA knows it is critical that we continue to improve how we engage and educate surrounding communities about our operations and how it manages noise.
In recognition of this, over the next six months, the GTAA is reaching out to community members in many ways, including:
* public workshops and open houses;
* participation in community events and festivals;
* Public consultation on the Toronto Noise Mitigation Initiatives
As we continue to increase and improve the channels we use to communicate with residents, please also encourage residents to sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, which is one of the best ways to stay informed: TorontoPearson.com/CheckingIn .
Again, we apologize for lack of advance communications on the disruption caused by this runway rehabilitation project. We are working hard to keep residents informed on this project and ensure that this phase of the work is completed on time.
I hope that I address your questions adequately.
Regards,
HIllary Marshall, Vice President
Greater Toronto Airports Authority | Stakeholder Relations and Communications
Toronto Pearson
