Ontario Better Choice for Airport Expansion

Columnist James Flanigan makes a case for LAX growth by referring to it as “the only international airport for the region’s 15 million people” [“Airport Planners Need to Rise Above It All,” March 25].

I assume that to get to the 15-million population, he is including the Inland Empire, as well as portions of eastern Los Angeles County and northern Orange County--all of which are served by Ontario International Airport.

There is no need for dramatic expansion in the overly residential areas surrounding LAX when Ontario has much room to grow.

Expansion at Ontario would not cost more than a fraction of the $8 billion to $12 billion estimated for LAX, and the needs of Orange and San Diego counties could be far more efficiently (and cheaply) served by a high-speed rail connection to Ontario than from west Los Angeles County and south Orange County to Palmdale.

We already have Metro Rail linking the Ontario area to downtown L.A., and from there to wherever the other light-rail lines will lead.

LAX is on the western edge of the region, whereas Ontario is centrally located--while outside of more dense residential populations.

CURT FEESE

Covina

*

Southern Californians should not stand by and let the greed and shortsightedness of one airport commission and one mayor focus on the impossible notion of doubling--again--the already-too-crowded Los Angeles International Airport.

We need leaders to stand up and recognize that LAX--the Jet Age airport of 1956, built to accommodate 33 million passengers per year, then enlarged to handle 48 million in the ‘80s--has already hit 60 million.

Southern California must develop an alternate regional airport--Palmdale (promised 20 years ago), El Toro or even a new site--not a doubling of the congestion that already plagues LAX.

ROBERT A. KRAUCH

Playa del Rey

*

I believe most people can understand the benefits from increased access to international air travel for the Southern California region. However, please don’t trivialize the concern voiced by local officials and “just plain folks.”

The damaging effects on neighborhoods caused by an international airport will be very real and a 24-hour affair. Regarding El Toro, the strength of south Orange County and the caliber of its citizen base is due to the high quality of life currently provided; thus your impatience over the proposed conversion of El Toro is offensive, insensitive, misplaced and misguided.

I applaud, however, your suggestion on the need for strong leadership to negotiate the development of an airport facility in an area amiable to such a proposal. It won’t be easy or cheap and may require a 20-year phased implementation plan, but I hope high-ranking officials heed suggestions for Palmdale, Camp Pendleton, etc., and begin working together. Otherwise, the only thing we can look forward to is a lot of unnecessary litigation costs and wasted effort, paid for by taxpayers.

STEVE HIRASHIKI

Torrance