Oakland Airport expansion approved after community settlement

Oakland Airport's expansion will move forward after a settlement was reached regarding noise, traffic, and air quality concerns. This agreement comes just before a potential legal battle with the city of Alameda and a community group focused on airport safety. The settlement requires the airport to take steps to reduce noise pollution and lessen the impact of traffic on nearby communities. The Port of Oakland, which operates the airport, announced the plans in a press release on Tuesday. Jon Hamilton, the President of Citizens League for Airport Safety and Serenity (CLASS), expressed satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting the new noise plan. The settlement allows the airport to replace Terminal 1 with a new terminal featuring up to 16 gates and to modernize existing facilities for better safety and efficiency. Although the environmental impact report for the project was completed in November, it faced community criticism over potential negative impacts. In recent months, airport representatives held weekly talks with CLASS, which represents about 3,000 households in the area. The goal was to find a solution that would minimize the project's impact. The parties set a deadline of March 24 to finalize an agreement before legal action could begin. The settlement includes 20 commitments the Port of Oakland agreed to make. These commitments range from limiting construction hours to improving traffic management and monitoring air quality. Kristi McKenney, the Port's Executive Director, praised the collaboration with CLASS and emphasized the importance of modernizing the airport while addressing community needs. Port officials plan to invest in Oakland Airport over the next five years. The goal is to enhance facilities, expand retail and dining options, and improve the overall travel experience for visitors to the East Bay.