Wyman's letter raised other issues about FedEx and the environmental study, ranging from the amount of noise made by cargo jets to damage the project might inflict on airport-area wetlands. But in an interview last week, he said these comments were meant only as reminders to the federal agency about issues that must be fully explored by the study. To date, there has been little public discussion of the cargo hub's direct or indirect impact on traffic around the airport, although two sizable road projects are included in the FedEx proposal. One of those major road changes involves rerouting Old Oak Ridge Road and its interchange with Bryan Boulevard. In addition, a section of Bryan Boulevard would be routed through a tunnel under the proposed new runway.
Plans call for the airport to cover any road costs above that amount.
But the worries that Wyman expressed last summer about closing Regional Road and increased traffic congestion have not been aired publicly. As Wyman and county planners envision it, the loop road would surround the airport in a route about 4.5 miles across at its widest span. Wyman said in the letter. Tha t could make it difficult for local motorists trying to bypass the airport, Wyman said. But it's an open question how much blame for the potential traffic congestion should be laid on FedEx's doorstep.