Tentative Deal Struck Between Tweed New Haven Airport, East Haven and New Haven On Terminal Expansion

NEW HAVEN/EAST HAVEN, CT — Wednesday, New Haven, East Haven, the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority, and Avports announced the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding and a "coordinated legislative proposal establishing a mutually agreed-upon pathway" for the continued assessment of the proposed East Terminal project at the airport, according to officials.

"While there are many additional steps moving forward, the MOU provides a framework to address traffic, parking and environmental concerns and the provision of information, ongoing discussions, technical review, and coordination among the Parties," a news release reads.

"This is a big moment for New Haven and East Haven," said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. "While there is much more
work to do, the agreement shows what we can accomplish when we roll up our sleeves and work collaboratively to find solutions. All parties have come together with the support of Governor Lamont and have reached a consensus. I am particularly grateful to Mayor Carfora for his collaborative and thoughtful approach that balances the benefits and impacts to both New Haven and East Haven."

The terminal sits on the East Haven side of the airport.

East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora has not been shy about making sure East Haven doesn;t get the short end of the stick as the expansion project would greatly affect his town.

"This framework reflects how the process has evolved.
Over time, through public engagement, regulatory review, continued dialogue, and the agreement to an MOU, we now have a clearer structure for how the proposed East Terminal Project will be evaluated and what standards will apply to mitigate impacts in East Haven. The proposed legislation is a crucial step in that process," Carfora said. "At the same time, it is important to emphasize that the MOU is not an approval of any project." Carfora said any proposal must be formally submitted to the town's Planning and Zoning Commission and subject to its full review, rules and regulations, and any conditions the PZC deems appropriate."

It was noted in a news release that there are in fact "several significant issues remain under review, including traffic design, environmental impacts, infrastructure improvements, and regulatory approvals."

What's in the legislative package?

The legislative package outlines proposed state funding, infrastructure investment, and governance provisions, including an updated Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority Board composition of eight members appointed
by New Haven and seven members appointed by East Haven, and new supermajority voting requirements for specified actions such as runway expansion, capacity increases, and changes to airport access.

The governance provisions ensure that certain decisions are made in a joint, coordinated manner involving Board members from New Haven and East Haven.

The MOU also reflects a significant potential commitment from the State of Connecticut in the East Haven and
New Haven communities.

Together, the MOU and proposed legislation are intended to address public safety, infrastructure, and community impacts associated with any future development. That said, the MOU itself does not approve any project or predetermine any outcome. Any proposed development remains subject to all applicable local, state, and federal permits and approvals, including independent municipal land use processes.

Where Process Began, Where It Stands Today: An Overview

All involved say the framework reflects a meaningful progression in how the potential project is being evaluated.

"Over the past several years, the project has been the subject of extensive public engagement beginning with master plan meetings in 2019 and continuing through more than 30 public
forums, Federal Aviation Administration environmental assessment hearings, neighborhood meetings, local permitting hearings, and ongoing discussions with local, state, and federal stakeholders," it's noted.

The MOU "reflects both the progress made through that process and the many additional public-facing reviews, hearings, and community engagement opportunities that lie ahead," the release reads.

The players have agreed that:
• All required local, state, and federal approvals will be obtained for any potential project, including independent municipal land use and other permitting and approval processes review by the Town of East Haven and regulatory review by CT DEEP, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other applicable agencies.
• Infrastructure, traffic management, and environmental considerations must be addressed through defined plans and technical review.
• Community input remains a critical component of the process and will continue through formal hearings and review procedures.
• Transparency and a seat at the table for discussions with various regulatory and other decision-making entities will be provided for all parties, including a Tweed-New Haven
Airport Authority Board governance structure that ensures shared decision-making on significant operational and expansion-related actions. East Haven will abide by the decision of the United States Court of Appeals,
without any further appeals.

"In this manner, the Parties intend to use the MOU and the Court decision on the current appeal of the FAA’s Finding of No Significant Impact as the defined path forward," it's noted.

Both East Haven and New Haven "will remain actively engaged with all other applicable regulatory review processes."

It's noted that the "East Terminal project will be subject to the East Haven’s local land use approval processes."

What all this means: Key Framework Elements
• $40 million in state funding for public safety facilities in East Haven
• A statutorily protected annual payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) of $4.4 million to East Haven and $2.9 million to New Haven, indexed to inflation.
• An increase in East Haven’s existing PILOT under the state formula by approximately $1 million annually
• Dedicated state infrastructure funding of $5 million for each municipality for roadway, traffic safety, drainage, environmental, and other neighborhood improvements as directed by each municipality
• Provisions requiring enhanced approvals for future expansion, including runway length, capacity increases, and changes to access points
• Coordination with CT DOT regarding identified roadway and drainage concerns, including a commitment to advance planning and implementation of a remedial solution to address flooding conditions on Coe Avenue and Hemingway Avenue financed by the state.

The MOU also sets forth the key steps the Authority and Avports will follow for any consideration and potential development of the East Terminal. These provisions address the new entrance/exit configuration and noise mitigation (both highlighted with more detail below), as well as the technical review of the East Terminal project, the zoning application process, construction staging plans, business deliveries, environmental protection, jobs and economic
development, additional limitations on freight, fulfillment of obligations of the 2022 lease with New Haven and parking.

Entrance / Exit and Traffic Framework
As part of the new framework, the Parties have also outlined a new coordinated traffic configuration:
• The configuration is designed to separate ingress and egress traffic, improving traffic flow and operational efficiency.
• Primary entrance to the East Terminal will be located in East Haven, utilizing the Proto Drive / Uriah Street corridor. Measures will be taken to ensure that current commercial
and industrial users of Proto Drive/Uriah Street are not negatively impacted.
• Primary exit from the airport will be directed through New Haven, with specific routes to be evaluated and refined through ongoing traffic analysis and coordination with state and local agencies.
• The existing entrance and exit to the Airport will be maintained to access 450 employee and rental car parking spaces at the current West Terminal.

• The Parties will continue to work with state and local traffic authorities along with web- based mapping services to reduce impacts on residential streets and direct travelers on intended routes.
• Thompson Avenue in East Haven will be closed to general airport traffic and all construction staging/traffic, with access limited to emergency vehicles solely as directed by East Haven authorities. This configuration reflects a coordinated regional traffic approach and strategy, providing a more predictable and managed system for airport access while maintaining local roadway protections.

Additional Framework Considerations
The MOU also includes provisions that:
• Preserve continued use of West Terminal parking, limited to a maximum of 450 spaces;
• Establish a structured process for traffic mitigation, infrastructure planning, and environmental review with participation from both municipalities;
• Require continued coordination on roadway design, traffic flow, and mitigation measures;
• Maintain restrictions on certain types of expansion, including freight-related operations.

"Together, these provisions reinforce a balanced approach to operational continuity, community protection, and long-term planning," officials said.

Noise Mitigation and Monitoring
The framework also includes a comprehensive approach to noise mitigation and monitoring,
including:
• A dedicated commitment of $3 million for noise mitigation, as contemplated under the existing agreement with Avports, to be shared between East Haven and New Haven;
• Completion of a federal FAR Part 150 Noise Study, including updated Noise Exposure Maps and a Noise Compatibility Program;
• Installation and operation of permanent noise monitoring systems, with publicly accessible reporting;
• Ongoing flight tracking, transparency measures, and a publicly accessible noise complaint system;
• Continued coordination with federal and local agencies to evaluate and implement appropriate mitigation measures;
These provisions establish both dedicated funding and a structured process to assess, monitor, and address noise impacts over time.

New Haven's mayor said as the city and county grow, a "high-quality regional airport to meet the travel demands of our residents, visitors and businesses" is needed.

"Customers are voting with their ticket purchases everyday — and a new, modern, state-of-the-art terminal, along with proper roadways, traffic patterns, infrastructure, environmental protections, community considerations and governance structures are necessary to make this airport a success," Elicker said.

Carfora reminded that any proposal must be reviewed and approved by the towns PZC.

"That process will be independent, evidence-based, and carried out in accordance with all applicable legal standards. Our boards and commissions will act strictly within their fiduciary obligations to the Town and its residents, and will require that any project fully satisfies all applicable standards and protections before it is permitted to proceed," he said.

Carfora added that this framework is only possible given the "considerable efforts of our Town staff throughout this process."

In particular, he spoke of East Haven's police and fire chiefs, "who spent countless hours evaluating operational needs
and public safety impacts."

"Their work has been instrumental and forms a significant basis for the funding and public safety components reflected in this framework," he said.

Robert Reed, Chairman, Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority, described the MOU as "another crucial milestone in our work to modernize Tweed-New Haven Airport."

"And I want to thank both mayors and Avports for taking this cooperative next step together," he's quoted as saying. "Restructuring the makeup of our Authority will ensure that as our project moves forward, the voices of both New Haven and East Haven -- as well as their local community
members -- will be heard loud and clear at every major operational and financial decision. This is a great step for Tweed Airport, and for Connecticut."

Gov. Ned Lamont, a Tweed supporter, also praised Elicker and Carfora, and applauded the agreement.

"This agreement is another vital step in a generational project that will help Connecticut ensure it has the modern infrastructure necessary to compete and thrive in a 21st-century economy," he said. "I commend Mayors Elicker and Carfora for their leadership and collaborative approach working with Tweed New Haven Airport Authority and Avports, which demonstrates a powerful commitment to shared regional progress. My administration will continue working with all parties to develop this asset in a way that strengthens our economy, expands cultural connections, and creates new opportunities for communities across the region."

Residents will have opportunities to participate in public hearings and review processes as additional details become available.