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One of the MANY problems with an airport in the freaking Pacific Ocean is that people don't want to "look to the west and see an airport on the horizon." That would be every NIMBYs worst nightmare.
The logistics of getting to the airport would be one of the deal-breakers for me. It would take a LOT of money to get my onto one of those light rail trains! |
Like I said, Miramar is pretty much the only option. The international terminal or whatever is crap too, you are not getting me to go to the Tijuana airport of all places.
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I don't think an offshore airport would be THAT bad of an idea... And at 10 miles out, you wouldn't even be able to see it. It's not like it's going to be situated just outside the surf break. Catalina is 20 miles offshore, and it doesnt loom in the horizon when looking from LA. And I think you'd have a lot less problems convincing residents of an airport located 10 miles away where no planes would have to fly over any homes, vs Miramar which is less than 8 miles away from La Jolla and planes would be coming over that area dozens of times a day. Yes, Miramar is ideal, but when you might have to wait 10-20 years before even being able to CONSIDER that location, and then another 10-15 years of design, hearings, approvals, votes, and construction... something offshore looks enticing.
Plus, if you develop a BART-style connection with several trains running at the same time, even a marina next to the airport where the wealthier people can just take their yachts out to the airport, you wouldn't have a problem with access. You could set up a network of ferries too, leaving from say Encinitas, Mission Bay and Imperial Beach.... How cool would it be, if you weren't in a rush to reach a flight at the last minute, to take a boat out to the airport and cruise along the coast to get a great view along the way?! I definitely think it's worth listening to and considering. San Diego is out of room for an airport the size that they really need. Without Miramar, you go east, or you go west. Going west is a lot closer. |
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Question: Say that I live in Fallbrook,Vista, San Marcos, Escondido, Poway,etc. Why would I even consider flying into an offshore airport off of Point Loma? I would fly into Orange County or Ontairo. If you have ever taken a ferry to Catalina from Long Beach (26 miles), it takes about 45 minutes (on the water). Add another 30 minutes to board on and off. Point Loma to Oceanside would take at least that amount of time. Who would fly into San Diego when it would take hours to get to shore? Nevermind the fact that it would cost a family of 4 $100 bucks to ride the ferry. Why don't we take the $20 billion and give it to Boeing. They can develop a plane that lands on water and then transforms into a ship that takes the passengers to shore. It has about the same chance of being successful. |
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in my mind - the IDEAL location for an airport is where approaching planes (low-flying) are far (or as far as possible) from where people live but where the airport is close enough to the center of population and commerce - a delicate balance. placing the airport on the water is perfect. even access is not an issue as bridges and ferries can easily serve the need (the number of people using the ferries = that much not on the freeway driving to the airport). tolling the bridge would generate xtra revenue and encourage use of the ferries or rail (rail bridge should be built). already theyve built many airports next to the water here in cali, seems like the next logical step is ON the water. works in japan. only thing is, they had the $$. |
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I think the only way SD would be able to get a new airport anytime in the (relatively) near future would be to build a modal airport that would consist of three parts.
1. The Welcome Parking, ticketing, baggage, rental car operations, and security checkpoints built somewhere here in-town...maybe even at Lindbergh since much of the infrastructure is already there. 2. The Link Once folks get through security, they hop onto HSR trains which take them to the the planes. 3. Da plane! Da plane! Somewhere in the middle of nowhere is the rest of the aiport - the runways, airplanes, control tower, and gates. I expect that the most expensive and potentially infeasible aspect would be the HSR line, but at least the thing is not floating in the middle of the freaking ocean! :) |
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The Coastal Commission won't even let anyone drill for crude oil offshore. I can't see them allowing an airport complex to sit offshore. |
The main big Japanese airport, Kansai, that sits out in the water is protected in a big bay, but is right in the middle of typhoon country.
I think the San Diego airport would have to abandon the idea of underwater tunnels and just concentrate on ferries. Unless they built it closer to the coast. But think, you could do all your check-in and security at the numerous departure points in SD, then the ferry takes you right there. You hop off, hop onto a tram or moving walkway that takes you right to your terminal. Security would be much better, as the airport itself would never be in danger from a car bomb or someone wanting to blow up the terminal area before crossing through security. The airport itself would be easier to patrol with boats. It could handle the largest of airplanes, constant cargo trips, and would have unlimited space to expand. The ferries would be operated by and paid for by the airport, if you fly from SD you dont pay for the ride to the airport. You wouldnt need huge long-term parking lots, you wouldn't have so many cars on the road all trying to get to one place. Sure, you can drive from Oceanside to OC or Long Beach for a flight, but wouldn't you rather drive 5 minutes, park your car, and then take a free boat ride? |
The thing about the article I thought was crazy was that the attorney guy is claiming SO MUCH space. Point Conception to Mexico? Ridiculous obviously it won't happen.
I agree with eburress, the separated airport is the most logical option, landside centrally located, and airside somewhere say out in the desert or maybe in the ocean if need be. Also, Japan is not a good example because there aren't any operational FLOATING airports, maybe prototypes but no real ones. Japanese airports are on dirt and they are only something like a mile or two offshore so bridges are still simple and all are in bays so they still are in more shallow waters. The floating airport isnt too crazy to me, but 10 miles offshore is a bit far, they could probably use the suspension tunnel (a tube floats in the water just above the sea floor while being tethered down by cables) to carry the train which is cheaper, though this is also new technology. |
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eburress has it absolutely correct. The airport would have to be in sections.
1. welcome, 2. transport to the planes, 3. DA planes! 1. i think the welcome can even be divided further. Welcome terminals and check in/parking could/should be in multiple locations. one in chula, one in downtown sd, one in say encinitas. then you transport them each to the airport via rail way east or way west. 2. The transport to the planes is going to be expensive and is GOING to have be quick and efficientwhether it is way in the desert or in ocean. The desert will be a much greater distance, though mountains, underground, or through purchased land. the tracks will need to be flat and straight to allow for fast transport. The ocean will be expensive because you will need to create that submerged suspended tunnel. I do not think ferries are a good idea at all. In fact a horrible idea. Rough weather, speed, offloading and loading all complicate things. it would be a much shorter distance for the rail though, less difficulty in routing. Just as expensive however and difficult. 3. The Planes - are GOING to have to be far from civilization leaves the desert way east, and the ocean way west. The placement in the desert will have to be in location that is flat or made flat, with good approaches from multiple directions. Feasible for sure. The WELCOME to the city of San Diego is less than ideal. The heat would be horrid. The technology for the floating airport is there, and actually tests show the larger the complex the MORE stable the structure gets. It is ideal because of flat approaches from every direction. Due to size, the ocean would have no effect. For the NIMBYs it would be too far off shore to see, and would actually create harbor for sea life because it is floating. Like a manmade kelp bed. However, marine layer may be an issue as well as rain. I am not sure statistics on off shore san diego weather. The welcome would be rediculously awesome, and more SAN DIEGO than a desert, not to mention world first and famous. My vote is for the ocean airport. It is possible, daring, and could be the best airport in the world. EASILY! |
Downtown LA?
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