City of Chicago, Aviation Department
John A. Roberson, Commissioner
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Press
Office City of Chicago, Aviation Department John A. Roberson, Commissioner
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| Press Release |
April 28, 2005 Contact: Media Relations (773) 686-3700 |
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THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION ANNOUNCES $60 MILLION FOR HOME AND SCHOOL SOUND INSULATION NEAR CHICAGO MIDWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The Chicago Department of Aviation announced today a multi-year, multi-million dollar funding project to provide sound insulation for 2,100 homes in communities around Chicago Midway International Airport. The new money will bring the total investment in home and school sound insulation in the Midway area to over $180 million. Approximately $17.5 million per year will be allocated in funding for three years for residential noise remediation. These additional funds will allow the City to commit to soundproofing approximately 700 homes a year beginning in 2005, 200 more than the previous year. “We are pleased to announce that all the homes included in the 2005 Midway Residential Sound Insulation Program are Chicago residents,” said John A. Roberson, Commissioner of the Department of Aviation. “Homeowners will have several options to achieve sound insulation in their homes. Windows and doors may be replaced, drywall and central air conditioning may be installed, or attics may be insulated through the Program.” A portion of the funding --$9 million or approximately $3 million per year-- will be dedicated to schools over the three-year period. Four schools have been slated for design and/or construction in 2005. Twelve schools (in total) are currently in construction. To date, twenty-six schools have been completed through the Midway School Sound Insulation Program, at a cost of $59 million. The total Airport Improvement Project (AIP) and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) disbursements for the 38 schools with executed grant agreements are currently $73.3 million for the Midway School Sound Insulation Program. The Midway Residential Sound Insulation Program began in 1996 as a ten home demonstration and has developed to a 700 home per year Program. As of 2004, 2,586 homes have been completed or are scheduled for sound insulation. Approximately $61 million was spent or allocated by the completion of the 2004 Program. “The additional funds contributed to the Program are part of the City’s ongoing efforts to minimize the impact of aircraft noise in Midway neighborhoods. The City is committed to working together with the Midway Noise Compatibility Commission, the airlines, Congressman Lipinski, and other elected officials to continue to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the Midway community,” added Roberson. No state or local tax dollars are used for soundproofing or for the operation of Midway Airport. Funding for the Program comes from Federal Airport Improvement grants and airport revenue bonds backed by Passenger Facility Charges. The Program is available to single-family homes or dwelling units of multi-unit structures, including duplexes, and two, three, or four flats that are owner or relative occupied, located within the 73 DNL contour. DNL, or day-night average noise level, is the federally recognized metric for sound mitigation programs. The Midway Noise Compatibility Commission, composed of representatives from communities that surround Midway, determines which homes and schools will receive noise remediation and advises the City on noise related issues. Chicago Midway International Airport, one of the fastest growing airports in the nation, is the premier point-to-point airport in the nation offering convenient low-fare airlines. The new state-of-the art Midway International Airport generates over $7 billion in annual economic activity and more than 90,000 jobs for the region. |
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