TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Re-route Traffic near Airport?

Wow, OK, surprised, but I don't really understand how they will accomplish entry from the other end. The runways and taxiways now are right up against the fence in the area of Beachside Villas and the other places on that end, so I don't see where they could put the road at that end. And in the middle is the beach, and that is a turtle nesting area.

Take a look at google earth. Unless they move the airport fence the road will go right through Karacters.

..and right through Beachside Villas...

Most idiotic thing I have ever heard of. What they really need to to lengthen the runway the other way so they don't take off so close to the fence if that is even possible. Or ONLY take off toward the sea and not the mountain of that is possible. I have no idea how that even works.

So to get to Sunset you have to come all the way from Simpson Bay? Idiotic!
If I lived in that area I would NOT want the increased traffic.

This change will not happen. The road will remain the same spot.

Good. Personally speaking, I think the idea of routing through your area is totally ridiculous, Lesley. Not to mention, I can't imagine how that would work with cars tripping through the residential area along the runway, since there's really no place else for the road to go.

What happened recently is a shame but I'm a firm believer in personal responsibility. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Not posting at you, but people need to remember that they heard from here first a couple of days ago....http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1738880&an=0&page=0#Post1738880

I hope not, Lesley. It's just dumb..

Of course what tourists want really isn't of concern to the SXM government, but I think that Beerman's post was not what the vast majority of folks here are thinking.

Sorry Kim, the prevailing winds are trade winds coming from the East North East 90%+ of the time. This is almost straight down the runway at PJIA, and the winds are usually 10 kts or better. Landing to the east and taking off to the east shortens the stopping distance upon landing and shortens the takeoff run similarly.

For aircraft there are two speeds in play: the ground speed which measures how fast you are moving across the earth, and the air speed, which measures how fast the air is moving across your wings.

You do not want to take off or land with a tail wind if the wind is blowing more than 1 or 2 kts...you will use a lot more runway and have a much higher impact on the landing gear if you land downwind.

(And yes, I hold an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate...but I have been retired for years now.)

So that's why the safest bet at PJIA is usually landing and taking off to the east.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />This is just to quiet the SJW's.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Thanks. I assumed there was a legit reason.

Why not just put up a "blast barrier" the same height as the fence? That would not be a landing hazard and people would not feel the jet blast.

My personal opinion is to leave most of the current infrastructure and security in place. You will always have people doing things that is just plain stupid or they are unqualified to do. If I were to make any changes it would be to remove the concrete median/barriers in the roadway. Based on the videos I have seen it appears that if a person loses his/her grip on the fence and is blown back, they have to negotiate those barriers which the causes them to be off balance and trip. Again I agree with Pat in that people must take responsibility for their actions and it isn't right to punish the masses for the few. Just MHO.

Someone posted a link here a day or two ago, as to the reason why the concrete medians were placed there. Basically, the reason why they are there is to keep people from parking in the middle of the road.

I just don't see how relocating the road altogether is not going to create a far bigger problem, with traffic problems in Simpson Bay and there just isn't room to put a road there beside the runway, which is the only place they can put it. And then, guess what? People will stop on the road and will stand by the side of the road so they can watch planes take off and land! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

The smart answer, but it would require some major dollars and some serious engineering, would be to extend the runway out over the beach over a two lane car tunnel that goes under the roadway. That may be too complex a project for a small island like St. Martin, and it would ruin the two beach establishments in that location, but it would prevent the issue of people on the end of the runway.

Actually the "smart answer" would just be to warn people of the danger and then let them decide what to do. There can only be so much that can be done to protect them from themselves.

It not all stupid people..it's mostly normal people that choose to do stupid things and they are ultimately responsible for their own decisions.

I posted it. Here is that link again.

https://721news.com/top-story/history-concrete-road-divider-maho-beach/

We own on Beacon Hill and if they rerouted the road as the paper suggests; it would create a nightmare for both residents and businesses in Beacon Hill area.
It also would be very expensive and a much simpler and effective way to resolve the problem would be to station a patrolman there between 8 AM and 5 PM. The patrolman would control the fence hangers as well as make the TAXI DRIVERS use the proper areas to pick up and drop off visitors. The TAXIS are relentless in slowing the roadway as they hock people to get customers .

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Unless they move the southern fence closer to the runway (which is unlikely), I doubt they'll build a road along Simpson Bay Beach. They simply need to build another chain link fence on the beach side of the road between SSBB and the Driftwood boat bar and make it illegal for pedestrians to enter the roadway from either end. Make it a $200 fine which could help pay for a policeman to be stationed there during the busy hours.

I agree this is a silly plan, and it will hurt the residents in Beacon Hill. And as far as the fence hangers, I think one could hire private security to do the job, and not use police officers for that purpose. You would only need to have private security there from about 11 to 3, something like that, as that's when the vast majority of the big planes, and the crowds, are there.

Great idea Carol. I would nominate you for some position in the SXM government, someone that has knowledge and common sense. Also give out fines, that will stop them. If they have a problem with drunks, then call the police. There is no need to spend millions to re-route the road. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

why not install an electric fence?

Carol,
Private security doesn't have the power to enforce something like this. They also cannot give out fines. A police officer can control both the fence huggers as well as the Taxi problem in that area. As for hours to be on duty ; Maybe 10 AM to 6 PM as the woman who died got killed around 5:30 PM . A fine should be posted clearly on signs and fence to warn people that it will be strictly enforced for violators.

OK, really? I hope that is not a serious suggestion.

OK, I did not know that. And I agree that holding onto the fence should be made an offense, which I don't think it currently is, and that the signs should designate that.

Best idea yet!! Easy, Affordable, Effective!

Oh sorry, I have NO desire to be in SXM government, and I assume that I could not be, since I do not live on SXM.

I think it was said in jest.

I agree an electric fence is the answer. That was my suggestion when I first heard about this. It works and will cost a lot less than moving the road or trying to do anything else. Barb wire would work too.

Yes it was. Thanks Scubaman

Wait, if it WERE to happen, would Beacon still be open to pedestrians? Would you still be able to walk Beacon to get over to Sunset? Actually, come to think of it, how is that gonna stop people from being in the path of the jet blast, if they can still walk through that area?

I think the plan is to move the airport fence back closer to the ocean and take the road out altogether. Then people who stand in the jet blast would be further away and they can only be blown into the ocean. But you're right, people will still stand in the jet blast, and the end result will seriously inconvenience everyone in Beacon Hill.

Daily Herald editorial

The suggestion of barbed wire on the fence surface seems a good and inexpensive solution.