T. F. Green Airport

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T. F. Green Airport

IATA: PVD – ICAO: KPVD – FAA: PVD
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner State of Rhode Island
Operator Rhode Island Airport Corp.
Serves Providence & Newport, Rhode Island
Location Warwick, Rhode Island
Elevation AMSL 55 ft / 17 m
Coordinates 41°43′26″N 71°25′42″W / 41.72389, -71.42833
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
5/23 7,166 2,184 Asphalt
16/34 6,081 1,853 Asphalt
Runway layout at PVD
Runway layout at PVD

T. F. Green Airport (IATA: PVD, ICAO: KPVD, FAA LID: PVD), also known as Theodore Francis Green State Airport, is a public airport located in Warwick, six miles (10 km) south of Providence, in Kent County, Rhode Island, USA. Dedicated in 1931, the airport was named for former Rhode Island governor and longtime senator Theodore F. Green. Completely rebuilt in 1996[1], with the renovated main terminal named for former Rhode Island governor Bruce Sundlun. It was the first state-owned airport in the United States.[2]

Massport has been promoting T.F. Green as an alternative to Boston's Logan International Airport[3], as delays and wait time are minimal. The airport's expansion is limited, as it is surrounded by residential homes. However, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC)[4] now owns some residential property on the eastern side of the airport near the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting building. Most homes on Cedar Swamp Road and Pembroke Avenue have since been demolished, likely to make way for future expansion.

It is the largest and most active airport among the six operated by the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

Contents

[edit] Facilities

T. F. Green Airport covers 1,111 acres (450 ha) and has two runways:

  • Runway 5/23: 7,166 x 150 ft. (2,184 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
  • Runway 16/34: 6,081 x 150 ft. (1,853 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt

Taxiway Victor served as Runway 5L/23R until 2003.

[edit] Airlines and destinations

[edit] Ground transportation

T.F. Green Airport has direct access to I-95. The airport is served by major car rental companies as well as by local taxi and limousine services.

The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) offers public bus transportation to and from the cities of Providence (Kennedy Plaza in downtown Providence) and Newport, and the University of Rhode Island campus in Kingston. In particular:[5]

  • The #20 bus goes to Kennedy Plaza by way of Elmwood and Roger Williams Park and Zoo, and takes approximately 40 minutes.
  • The #14 bus goes directly to and from Kennedy Plaza and takes approximately 15-25 minutes, also connects to Newport, Narragansett, and East Greenwich.
  • The #66 bus also makes a direct route to Kennedy Plaza, also connects to URI.

Work has started on a train station for the airport. It will be served by the MBTA Commuter Rail and possibly Amtrak to provide service to Providence, Rhode Island and Boston, Massachusetts. The construction was funded in 2005 federal highway bill. Presently, Amtrak trains ride through Warwick, passing only 1,250 feet from the airport terminal, without making a stop for the city or the airport. Groundbreaking was on July 17, 2006.[6][7] Upon its completion (expected in 2010), T.F. Green will have the closest intercity air-to-rail link in the country.[8] Site preparation began in September 2007 and, as of October 2007, construction was expected to begin in the spring of 2008.[9]

[edit] Renovation/expansion plans

[edit] Terminal renovation project

Since the new terminal was opened in 1996, T.F. Green has become more congested due to increased traffic and post-September 11th security changes. As a result, terminal renovations have recently begun. According to the RIAC website, these improvements include:

  • Expansion of the airline baggage rooms to accommodate the construction of a new In-Line Explosive Detection System (EDS) Baggage Handling System, allowing the removal of the EDS equipment currently residing in the terminal lobby;
  • Expansion of the security screening checkpoint by widening the area to accommodate eight lanes and lengthening it to allow for increased passenger screening areas;
  • Construction of exit ramps that will allow deplaning passengers to proceed directly to the lower level baggage claim area;
  • Increased concessions on both pre- and post-security, including a new seating area in baggage claim on the lower level;
  • Expansion of the second and third floor RIAC administration offices to accommodate RIAC staff and support space, TSA screening stations, and increased leasable space; and
  • Addition of new ticket counter positions on both the north and south sides of the terminal lobby to accommodate future commercial service enhancements.

(List quoted from T.F. Green's Website) [1]

[edit] Runway expansion

The Rhode Island Airport Corporation writes (in 2001)[2] that the master plan completed in 1997 failed to envision the "tremendous growth" that had been experience in the years hitherto. The report identifies lack of runway length as a hindrance to "range and diversity of service", in particular emphasizing ability to service non-hub locations, the west coast, and international locations. A challenge particular to T.F. Green in this regard is its being surrounded by dense residential and commercial development. Many local residents also oppose expansion for the impact it will have on quality of life in the area.

Though extending the main runway would bring in an estimated $138 million over the course of 13 years, doing so would consume 204 houses, at least ten businesses, and large areas of wetlands.[10] The FAA plans to hold public meetings in upcoming May before making its recommendation concerning runway expansion to the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

[edit] Incidents

Main article: 1999 T. F. Green Airport runway incursion

[edit] Trivia

  • The Rolling Stones were arrested here in 1972 after assaulting a photographer, and were brought to the Warwick police station. Their flight could not land in Boston, where they had a concert, due to fog. They were processed quickly to avoid a riot at the concert site.[11]
  • The terminal is named in honor of Bruce Sundlun, a former governor.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Providence: Transportation - Approaching the City
  2. ^ News and Issues - TF Green Airport
  3. ^ Massport: Regional Airports:T.F. Green T.F.Green. Massport. Retrieved on 2007-06-05.
  4. ^ RI Airport Corporation
  5. ^ Bus route information from RIPTA's website.
  6. ^ Preer, Robert. "Work begins on MBTA rail link to T.F. Green Airport", Boston Globe, 2006-07-18. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  7. ^ T. F. Green Airport (2006-07-17). "RIAC breaks ground on intermodal facility". Press release. Retrieved on 2008-03-21.
  8. ^ Warwick Train Station Project at T. F. Green Airport Fact Sheet. Rhode Island Department of Transportation (2001-05-17). Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
  9. ^ Downing, Neil. "Train station construction to begin", Providence Journal, 2007-10-17. Retrieved on 2008-03-21. 
  10. ^ Providence Journal Online Runway plan takes homes, businesses.
  11. ^ Mick Jagger mugshot. Thatsweird.net (2005-05-17). Retrieved on 2008-04-18.

[edit] External links

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