If you've noticed an increase in air traffic overhead in Catonsville in the past week, it's because of a shift in runways at BWI Airport.
One of the two major thoroughfares for commercial planes at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) was closed on Monday, Aug. 20 and will be closed for 60 days. The runway is closed for reconstructive work around the runway, according to a statement from the airport.
With Runway 10-28 closed, air traffic patterns may change, said Jonathan Dean, a spokesman for BWI. He said Elkridge and Catonsville were in the area impacted by the shift.
“In the northwest regions, like Elkridge and Catonsville, residents in those communities will see an increase in operations compared to usual conditions,” said Dean.
According to Dean, 70 percent of traffic will be going over Elkridge and communities northwest such as Catonsville of the airport during the runway closure.
Since 2011, the airport has been working to bring the runways into compliance with federal safety regulations it must meet by 2015, according to a statement from BWI.
Specifically, the work includes reconstruction of runways, taxiways, deicing pads and hold pad pavement; airfield navigational aid installation, relocation and upgrades; and other runway safety improvements, according to the statement.
Work began on Runway 10-28 in June, including installing new lighting in the pavement. During that time, the while the runway was closed on nights and weekends.
Dean of BWI said that the planes do not change the elevation at which they fly; it is just the route that will change.
If you'd like to file a noise complaint, make note of the date, time and location, then call BWI's noise hotline at 410-859-7021.
Complaining about plane noise here is like moving onto Rolling Road and then complaining about too much traffic.
Back on topic, Catonsville should see a break in the planes starting Tuesday when the winds shift back around to the northwest.
Incidentally, if you follow the airport on Facebook or Twitter, they occasionally post updates and pictures of the work in progress.
I'm not sure what caused the delay, but construction being what it is, I wasn't shocked to hear it. It *would* shock me if this thing wasn't completely wrapped up by Thanksgiving. The last thing they would want is to go into the busiest travel week of the year with only one runway open. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I'm going to go repost this comment on Elkridge Patch too, for anyone still following that article.
As of today (10/24/12 at 17:00), I can report at least 10 noisy aircraft passing overhead within an eleven minute period at my home in rural Granite/Windsor Mill. The noise has been tolerable but disconcerting. Both my husband and myself grew up in Glen Burnie Park having to "tolerate" the disruptive engine noise, intrusive airplane lights, and house vibrations associated with near constant take off/landing patterns of aircraft flying into and out of Friendship/BWI airport. You can only imagine the impact imposed on the quality of life in Glen Burnie (frustrating interruptions to TV viewing, family conversations, telephone conversations, and school lessons). Ah, but I digress. Having sustained life in the 60's amidst heavy air traffic noise, it is my fervent hope that 1) BWI's airport authorities are being forthright with regard to time frame predictions for runway work and 2) the current flight pattern changes are indeed TEMPORARY. In our rural area, while having grown accustomed to the occasional noise/vibration associated with Medivac helicopter flights, we DO NOT however wish to live amidst the continued din of commercial aircraft noise.
When more than 1 of us was out and we heard a jet coming we decided to identify the carrier, the make and model of plane and for the grand prize the flight number. All available information and like looking for Waldo. One person, is now able to identify the make and model of jet and many more than any quickly the carrier. There is a pot of gold at the end of the contest and the grownups are losing.
The noise seems negligible to me, and I really enjoy watching the different planes. I'm always on the lookout for the British Airways plane - the only really large plane to regularly fly into BWI (as far as I know).
From our residential vantage point (22+- miles north) from the airport, the planes are too high to "identify"... and unfortunately, too noisy to ignore. I suppose if I had the time, inclination, or closer proximity to the runways, I could indeed watch in wonder at these majestic engineering wonders, however since I spent all of my childhood years doing this, at this point in my life, watching airplanes seems to have lost it's "magic".
@Jan, I don't think there's a deliberate lack of forthrightness on the part of the MAA. I do think they were overly optimistic in projecting how long the work would take. They should have told everyone that this was going to take 90 days instead of 60, and then they could brag about finishing "ahead of schedule." They're also largely indifferent about keeping their neighbors informed on the progress of the work. That being said, I flew out of BWI a week ago and it's very apparent they're working their heads off to finish this up. They were hard at work on Sunday afternoon, when I flew out, and also late Tuesday night, when I got back. Large sections of the runway look finished and painted, so that's a good sign.
Catonsville hasn't had overflights lately because of a persistent west-northwest wind. Once that pattern shifts next week, you're going to get planes again. Hang in there, I know it seems endless but at some point, they will eventually finish up the work and reopen the east-west runway.
I can't wait for Saturday morning! Be nice to sleep in without hearing the planes. I'm down in Elkridge, I think it is louder down here than in Catonsville.
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