Ground breaking

Tuesday was for the trunk drainage and sewers project, a major component

of the $5.4 billion overall project.

"After

years of planning and coordinating with various local and state agencies,

we can now enter the next phase of fifth runway construction," said

Atlanta Mayor Bill Cambell. The runway is scheduled for completion in

2005.

"With

nearly 220,000 travelers passing through Hartsfield each day, the new

runway will allow us to accommodate the growing demand for air travel,"

Campbell said.

Scheduled for

completion in the spring of 2002, the drainage and sewers project includes

the relocation of an existing College Park sanitary sewer line around

the footprint of the runway.

"Federal

Aviation Administration aircraft and passenger delay data has shown that

for the fourth consecutive year, Hartsfield is the most delay-impacted

airport in the nation," said Ben DeCosta, Atlanta's aviation general

manager. "Because so many aircraft and passengers use Hartsfield,

the fifth runway will help the FAA and airlines reduce delay in other

parts of the country.

"The implementation

of this project, as well as the entire runway, has required close coordination

with the FAA, Georgia Department of Transportation, Clayton County, and

the city of College Park, as well as other state and federal agencies.

This project will set the foundation for other fifth runway-related projects."

The project

is a joint venture between primary contractors Thalle Construction Company

Inc., based in New York, and The Artis Group, headquartered in Georgia.

Subcontractors include Sunbelt Structures (Georgia), ANATEK (Georgia),

and R. R. Cassidy (Louisiana). The ground breaking ceremony and press

conference took place at the former Hartsfield Colonnade Office Park on

Riverdale Road.