On the Airport Privatization, Commercialization

Written by Tommy Hunter

In my travels around the Lawrenceville area over the past few weeks, I have been asked by numerous folks what my take on the airport privatization proposal is. Short answer– I am opposed to efforts that would bring commercial airline flights to Briscoe Field.

As a civil engineer with a specialization in transportation systems and planning, I know a little bit about the intricacies of a region's transportation structure. I know that if commercial flights were provided to Briscoe Field, the vast majority of those folks would not be coming here to see Lawrenceville, but would be using it as a more convenient route into Atlanta. However, once they reach Briscoe, how are they going to get to Atlanta?

State route 316 is already a miserable route, even on a good day. CSX is not likely to be warm to any attempt to put commuter rail traffic on their corridor. So, bringing upwards of 8 flights per day to Briscoe Field would put even more traffic on an already over-burdened transportation network. In my opinion, until SR 316 is brought up to Interstate standards, at the very least, even considering such a proposal is a waste of citizens' time and money.

I certainly believe, as we move forward through the next four years, Gwinnett County would be better served having a transportation engineer on the Board of Commissioners to deal with these type issues than real estate agents, architects, or developers.

My biggest fear is, and this is from my experience of working inside the county government, that plans have already been made, and a determination reached, to bring this project about over the concerns and objections of county residents. I also know some "protests" have been held against this plan. It has even come to my attention that John Heard has made it a point to tell folks that I did not attend the protest rally that he organized in late June. I am quite certain he would not have allowed me any "mike time" had I been there.

Just to clear that up, the reason I was not present is because that was the week of Bible School at my church, and I was the teacher for my 11-year-old son's class. Having missed Tuesday night of that week for a forum, I was not going to miss another night of what is a once-in-lifetime opportunity. I doubt anyone reading this would either.

That said, I would encourage everyone, regardless of what position you personally hold on this effort, to be involved, and demand accountability and transparency from those making the decisions. I believe our recent experiences would require such.

Tommy Hunter is a candidate for Gwinnett County Commission District 4. His web site is www.tommyhunter2010.com .