In the Know: RSW airport cleared for takeoffs

Q: I've noticed a significant amount of ground clearing and grading around the Regional Southwest Airport complex. Are there plans for future construction?— R. Branson, Naples

A: You most likely are seeing a clearing for takeoffs at the Southwest Florida International Airport.

Land around the runway area is routinely cleared as part of the airport’s hazardous wildlife remediation project, an ongoing effort to deter mostly flying birds from coming in contact with aircraft and endangering passengers, said Victoria B. Moreland, director of communications and marketing for the Lee County Port Authority, which operates the county’s airports.

“Birds and planes do not mix,” she said. “We have to keep our airplanes and the people on them safe.”

Considering that the airport includes thousands of acres of land around its runway, it’s a formidable task to make it inhospitable for birds. Land is always being mowed and cleared to discourage birds from nesting or roosting around the airport, Moreland said.

“This is one of the many tools we have in our tool kit,” she said.

The airport also frightens away birds with pyrotechnics and a simple solution piloted here that uses border collies to herd birds away from the transportation hub. Additional habitat modifications include canals with swales and riprap to prevent nesting birds.

Other land clearing you recently may have seen included work to complete the new entrance and interstate exit making the airport directly accessible to motorists off I-75. The project started in mid-2012, and the expanded access was completed just last month.

Clearing work you also may have seen along the right-hand side of the entrance road is preparing for the airport’s future — a long-term project for another runway.

“Eventually we are going to have a parallel runway, but that’s probably 10 to 15 years down the road,” Moreland said.

It’s up to the Federal Aviation Administration to determine when another runway will be needed to prevent flight delays at RSW. The additional runway probably will be in place by the late 2020s, Moreland said.

Bucking for Starbucks

Q: I enjoy your articles. The Starbucks at RSW terminal D has been closed and being "renovated" for six months. How could a coffee stand take so long? One needs their cup of Joe at 6 a.m.! Thank you!

— A. Einhorn, Bonita Springs

A: Not sure about the wait, but Starbucks is expected to reopen soon in the airport’s Concourse D, said Vicki Moreland, RSW spokeswoman.

“The Starbucks is being staffed and stocked with an anticipated opening this week,” Moreland said.

In the meantime, additional options are available to get your Starbucks fix at Southwest Florida International Airport. The Seattle-based coffeehouse chain also has a location open 24 hours daily in the pre-security checkpoint area of the airport’s main terminal and a third one behind the security checkpoint in Concourse B.

Know more

Tuesday Morning and Total Wine & More coming to Coconut Point

Have a local question? Email it with your name and city of residence to intheknow@naplesnews.com. Tim Aten’s "In the Know" is published every Monday and Wednesday. See In the Know archives on Facebook at facebook.com/timaten.intheknow.