WARWICK, R.I. — A planned $165 million expansion of T.F. Green Airport has been cleared for takeoff after Warwick officials dropped a federal lawsuit against the proposal, which includes extending the main runway by 1,500 feet.
City officials on Thursday formally dropped their lawsuit over health and pollution concerns and signed an agreement on the expansion that was reached two months ago with airport officials.
The project calls for extending the main runway to 8,700 feet and making safety improvements to a second runway. Officials say the longer runway will allow for longer national and international flights.
The safety improvements could begin next year, while the main runway extension is scheduled to start in 2014.
The airport will have to buy 10 business properties and one home to make room for the expansion.