U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker, and Congressman Bill Pascrell (N.J.-09), today announced a $2,268,000 U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) grant to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to fund a noise compatibility study at Teterboro Airport. Communities living under the Teterboro flight patterns have long complained of excessive noise pollution eroding residents’ quality of life.
“We must continue to focus resources and attention to mitigate noise pollution caused by air traffic, which can have a detrimental effect on our quality of life,” stated Rep. Pascrell. “I am pleased that this significant federal investment will help fund the ongoing air noise study for Teterboro Airport and provide a path to better address noise impacts in our community.”
“The noise from flights going in and out of Teterboro Airport has long been the bane of existence for residents living in the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Sen. Menendez. “Hopefully, with this federal funding we will identify a way to mitigate the incessant noise from flights and provide relief for residents.”
“The residents near Teterboro airport deserve to live and work free from the inconvenience of excess noise from departing and arriving flights,” said Sen. Booker. “This funding will help restore much-needed peace and quality of life for families in these nearby communities.”
The study is being done under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) program which provides federal funds for mitigation projects when airport noise exceeds a certain level and is expected to be completed in 2017.
Rep. Pascrell, along with Senators Menendez and Booker, is also leading the effort to protect size and weight restrictions at Teterboro Airport. An amendment they have successfully added to their respective annual transportation funding bill drafts this year prevents the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from advancing any proposal to lift the 100,000 pound weight limit at Teterboro Airport. The legislative language will safeguard the region from the dangers and disruption caused by larger jets by prohibiting the FAA from overriding decision-making on air traffic by the states of New Jersey and New York.