CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: March 12, 2008	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (Department) has scheduled a Public Information Meeting for Thursday, March 27, 2008 to present and discuss the Draft Master Plan for Danielson Airport, which is located in the Town of Killingly, Connecticut.  The Department is seeking public input on the draft 20-year Plan and preliminary project recommendations.  Copies of the Draft Master Plan are available for public review at the Killingly Town Library, Killingly Town Hall, and Brooklyn Town Hall, as well as online at www.danielsonairportplan.com. 

The Draft Master Plan provides planning guidelines for the future (to year 2025) development of the Airport.  The development needs identified in the study are intended to satisfy present and future aviation demand, improve safety, minimize environmental impacts, address community concerns, and maintain compatibility with other transportation systems.  The previous plan that was developed for Danielson Airport was a 1988 Airport Layout Plan Report.

An Advisory Committee has been participating in the study process, with representatives from the Towns of Killingly and Brooklyn, Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments, New England Flight Services, Way up Skydiving LLC, H.H. Ellis Technical High School, Civil Air Patrol, Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, Connecticut Office of Policy and Management, and Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The March 27, 2008 Public Information Meeting will be held in the cafeteria of the Killingly Intermediate School, 1599 Upper Maple St, Dayville, Connecticut, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  A presentation will begin at 7:15 p.m., followed by an informal interactive session.  The agenda for the public meeting will include a presentation of findings of the Draft Master Plan, and discussion of the following preliminary project recommendations:

Phase I (implement in 0 to 5 years)

• Tree obstruction removal from runway approach surfaces.
• Airport perimeter fencing and emergency access gate.
• Paved airfield service road and reconfigured roadway to T-hangars.
• Fuel farm/fuel truck parking pad.
• Runway End Identifier Lights (beyond Runway 13) and Precision Approach Path Indicators (both runway ends).
• GPS instrument approach (for Runway 13) and non-precision runway markings.
• Exit taxiway development near existing T-hangars.
• Tree clearing/grubbing for skydiving drop zone.
• T-hangar development east of existing T-hangars.
• Rehabilitation of existing Airport Road and parking areas.

Phase II (implement in 6 to 10 years)

• Turf runway development.
• Rehabilitation of existing paved Tiedown Apron.
• Paved tiedown apron development adjacent to existing paved Tiedown Apron.
• Conventional hangar development west of FBO hangar.

Phase III (implement in 11 to 20 years)

• Rehabilitation of existing runway.
• Rehabilitation of existing taxiway.
• Airport Road reconfiguration.
• T-hangar development west of existing T-hangars.
• Conventional hangar development north of the FBO hangar.

The goal of the Master Plan is to determine how to accommodate the airport needs anticipated over a 20-year period, and these projects are recommended based on the documented need.  Although these projects may be recommended for Danielson Airport, it does not ensure that funding or environmental approvals would be granted for their further development and implementation.  Additional detailed analysis, including specific locations, engineering analysis, costs, and potential environmental impacts would be required.   

The public is encouraged to attend the Public Information Meeting and to submit comments on the Draft Master Plan.  A Final Master Plan will be prepared after all comments on the Draft Master Plan have been addressed.