Originally Posted by
BFSGrad
The technology for such expansion is well established; e.g., HNL reef runway, Hong Kong, Chubu, etc. Plans for this type of expansion at SFO were floated in the 90s with the #1 obstacle being environmental groups. If the bay area governments can toss a couple $B at new sports stadiums, they can certainly pony up some dollars for a new SFO runway. What is lacking is the political will to buck the greenies.
More than greenies, there's already a large anti-noise group in place. Why should non-pilots want a new runway, which would only increase the noise due to more operations? I'm sure that most bay-area residents wouldn't mind if LH moved their operation to a less noise sensitive area -- like Fresno.