TRENTON-MERCER AIRPORT EXPANSION SPURS COMMUNITY DEBATE

With plans for a major expansion underway, the Trenton-Mercer Airport has received continued pushback from area residents concerned about environmental and health impacts as a result of the proposed project. The Trenton-Mercer Airport Master Plan includes expansion of the 24,780-square-foot terminal to 125,000-square feet along with other projects designed to help keep the airport competitive. A public hearing held on June 2 to review the draft environmental assessment echoed ongoing opposition and support from both sides of the argument.

The environmental assessment is federally required and necessary for the execution of the Trenton-Mercer Airport Master Plan which will help conduct development at the airport over the next two decades. Groups in opposition to the airport expansion continue to cite air quality and noise issues associated with expected traffic increases stemming from the new terminal. Many municipal officials, however, have expressed steady support of the expansion as a means of increasing regional economic benefits.