Congresswoman Maxine Waters Introduces Bill to Stop LAX from Expanding Runway Closer to Playa del Rey, Manchester

LOS ANGELES, CA - A congresswoman introduced a bill Thursday aimed at preventing an LAX runway from being moved closer to residential neighborhoods of Westchester and Playa del Rey.

Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that operates Los Angeles International Airport, is considering moving Runway 24R, located at the north end of the airport, further north by 260 feet.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, said the move would bring the runway, and the corresponding airplane traffic, much too close to residents. The project "would increase noise, air pollution, and other environmental impacts on residents, schools, churches and businesses in the communities surrounding LAX," according to the veteran lawmaker.

LAWA officials, who have said the relocation of the runway is needed for safety reasons, had no immediate comment Thursday afternoon on Waters' bill.

The project is part of a larger modernization plan approved by the Los Angeles City Council and Airport Commission in 2013.

Waters said the project has been "dormant" since the 2013 approvals, with final approval not yet given to the project, but the Federal Aviation Administrator has been urging LAWA officials to move forward.

Waters said her bill is meant to "send a message to the FAA prohibiting them from approving any plans." She added that the FAA is currently awaiting reauthorization from Congress, which makes it a good time bring up the issue.

— City News Service, photo courtesy of LAWA