Gov. Chafee lobbies Warwick officials to drop lawsuit over TF Green Airport runway expansion

WARWICK, R.I. -- Governor Chafee called members of the Warwick City Council over the past few days, urging them to quickly resolve concerns over a planned runway expansion at T.F. Green Airport and drop their lawsuit challenging federal handling of the project.

"The governor's been very upfront and outspoken all along about the fact that the extension of the runway is key to the economic development of the state," Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger said Monday.

The calls, however, may be too late to salvage any of the 2012 construction season.

Kevin Dillon, president of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, said he is "very disappointed" with the way talks with the council are going and it may be better to let the litigation run its course.
  
Information from: The Providence Journal, http://www.providencejournal.com