I tend to use the phrase “my tax dollars hard at work” when describing wasteful spending of tax dollars. Today’s paper gave me another opportunity to say this. San Diego is looking to build a bigger airport and has selected some military sites (currently in use) as options where they would be dual use (military and civilian). They have done this despite the fact that the military has said absolutely no. The airport authority has paid a consultant to come up with ways that the airport could be dual use. If the military said no, is there any chance it will happen?
Personally I don’t want a larger airport; I like our airport as it is convenient and easy to use. In addition, one of the top sites is Miramar Marine Corps Air Station which is much closer to my house; this could increase flight noise near my house, but will definitely increase traffic. During the annual Miramar air show, traffic was backed up to my exit on the freeway which is about 10 miles from the entrance to Miramar. This was on a weekend without the normal commuting traffic. I can’t imagine what it would be like to get to the proposed airport during the week.
I wish someone would pay me a lot of money to come up with completely unrealistic ideas for a new airport.