Tweed New Haven Airport Receives Federal Grant for Residential Sound Mitigation

The sound of planes taking off from Tweed New Haven Regional Airport has never really bothered resident Cynthia Dasilva.

"The traffic in the street makes more noise than the planes sometimes," Dasilva said.

But because her East Shore home of 40 years is so close to the airport, it was eligible for a series of upgrades like new windows, doors, central air conditioning and insulation.

Dasilva said the additions have made, "a big difference".

"We can hardly hear, when the windows and doors are closed you can hardly hear the planes going by," Dasilva said.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is allocating nearly $3 million for Tweed’s Airport Authority to continue its residential sound insulation program.

"It really lets us know that the FAA thinks that Tweed is a viable airport," New Haven Mayor Toni Harp said.

An 18-month noise evaluation study a few years back determined which houses would qualify for the program.

"If you’re a homeowner and I came to you and said we’re going to sound insulate your home for free, you’d be a very, very happy resident," Tweed New Haven Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Larson said. 184 properties were identified as being within the FAA approved 65 Ldn noise contour for Tweed Airport.

So far, Larson said work has been completed on more than 30 properties in the first two phases of the program and 49 are up next thanks to the new federal funding.

"We’re going to continue to do this until each of those 184 houses are complete in some form or fashion," Larson said.

For residents like Dasilva, there may be a benefit to these renovations in addition to less noise.

"I think it will make a big difference in energy savings," she said and she’s now encouraging her neighbors. "If they got the opportunity to do it, they should."

Homes on the East Haven side of the airport are also part of the sound insulation program.

Harp told NBC Connecticut she would like to see more direct flights out of Tweed to places like Florida and Washington, D.C.

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