The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced that as part of the ongoing construction for the Centerfield Taxiway, which will be designated as Taxiway Mike at Logan International Airport, Runway 33L will be closed from August 14, 2008 through August 28, 2008.
During the closure and depending on wind and weather conditions, other runway configurations will be used to accommodate operations at Boston Logan. As a result, residents from neighboring communities may experience an increase or decrease in the number of overflights during the project. All project activities will take place on Boston Logan's airfield and construction vehicles will use designated highway routes.

The cost for the 9,300 foot parallel taxiway located between Runway 4L/22R and 4R/22L is approximately $43 million. The work, which began in April, will take two years to complete.

Taxiway Mike was first recommended in 1993 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Massport, air carriers and pilots as a way to augment Logan's airfield safety. A recent FAA assessment of runway incursions at Logan identified the new taxiway as a critical item to help reduce such incidents.

The new taxiway will allow FAA air traffic controllers more flexibility to position aircraft for crossings of active runways. This will reduce airfield queuing and aircraft should spend less time reaching their gate after landing or taxiing to take off. As a result, the new taxiway is expected to reduce aircraft emissions.

For information on specific changes in runway usage, please call Massport's Noise Complaint Line at 617-561-3333 during Noise Abatement Office hours of Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Noise Complaint Line will continue to be available to receive noise complaints 24 hours per day, seven days per week. For general information on these projects, please call Massport's Office of Government and Community Affairs at 617-568-3711 during regular business hours.

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