Queens homeowners want runway plan grounded

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A jet takes off from JFK Airport. Southeastern Queens residents fear that if one of the airport’s main runways is extended 728 feet as planned, additional aircraft noise will inundate the Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, Laurelton and Queens Village neighborhoods.

A much-maligned plan to extend one of Kennedy Airport’s main runways has left already fed-up locals hopping mad.

Southeast Queens residents fear extending the runway 728 feet will lead to more airplane noise — a deafening problem they have been battling for years.

But the Port Authority’s hands are tied, officials said. The FAA has mandated the project be completed by the end of 2015 to comply with new safety requirements.

“This is only going to exacerbate an already horrendous situation,” said Barbara Brown, chairperson of the Eastern Queens Alliance, which represents Springfield Gardens, Rosedale, Laurelton and Queens Village.

She’s worried this will lead to planes flying at lower altitudes closer to residential areas.

“There are days when there is just one plane after another,” she said “If you’re in the middle of a conversation, you have to stop until the plane passes over.”

Port Authority officials claim the extension to Runway 4L22R will not cause big changes in the number of flights, plane altitudes or aircraft noise.

“This is not a project that will bring more airplanes to the runway,” said agency Interim Director Thomas Bosco.

About 6,150 flights departed from the 11,351-foot runway, one of four at the airport, in September, he said. Another 1,129 arrived on the stretch in August.

“It gives us the opportunity to repave the runway and provide a safe environment for aircraft takeoffs and landings and the air-traveling public,” Bosco said.

But not everyone believes more planes won’t be taking off and landing on the runway.

“I am concerned that this change will increase noise because it will effectively increase capacity,” said Len Schaier, president of quietskies.net, an airport watchdog group.

Nearby residential communities must be considered before a change is made, said Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder.

“The Port Authority should do what they need to ensure the safety and security of our planes,” he said. But, he added, “Local communities have been suffering for years.”

Several hundred trees in Idlewild Park, in Rosedale, are also expected to be cut down to comply with FAA standards.

City Park Department officials said the trees will be replaced with broader, shorter ones.

ctrapasso@nydailynews.com

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