That's not all for this fast-growing city. Also in the works is a new beltway connecting St. George and Interstate 15 to surrounding communities. And planners are working to identify problems and propose solutions to improve traffic flow along St. George's major surface streets.

Planning for the airport was stalled in 2001 when the Grand Canyon Trust filed a suit against the Federal Aviation Administration, claiming the original environmental assessment (EA) to identify aircraft noise impacts on Zion National Park was inadequate.

A judge agreed and called for a more comprehensive environmental-impact statement (EIS). A draft EIS, completed by the FAA and the National Park Service was released in September. Final approval, anticipated in spring, will let the project take off again, but with additional costs.

"The delay increased the cost of the project by $15 million," said St. George Public Works Director Larry Bulloch on Thursday.

Bulloch, along with mayor Daniel D. McArthur and Michael LaPier, manager of the current St. George airport, met with Sen. Orrin Hatch in Washington on Wednesday to address any final concerns.

Hatch said in a news release that he hopes the process can proceed in an expeditious manner so it will be ready to handle increased demand expected for the popular area.

"St. George needs this new airport, and the city has gone above and beyond what's necessary to address the endless demands by environmental extremists," said Hatch.

Roger Clark, the air and energy director for the Grand Canyon Trust, said on Thursday the group was preparing comments on the draft EIS that will be delivered by next Tuesday.

Clark said the trust remains concerned about the projected increased number of flights over Zion and potential impacts on plants and wildlife in the park.

At 13 inches thick, Bulloch called the EIS one of the most lengthy he has ever seen. In addition to projecting noise impacts from the proposed new airport, the document takes into account the impact from 17 regional airports dotting 9,200 square miles in and around southwestern Utah.

Bulloch said the airport is needed because the current one does not meet design standards required by the FAA to accommodate larger private jets and commercial aircraft like the jet planes St. George-based SkyWest Airlines plans to put into future service.

A funding formula is still being worked out to determine the financial obligations of the federal government and the city.

The new airport will be accessed by a new, four-lane highway to be called the Southern Parkway. It will connect Hurricane, on state Route 9, to Interstate 15 at a new interchange to be built two miles north of the Arizona state line.

Work on the parkway project is expected to begin in the spring, using $28 million in federal highway funds.

Bulloch said the parkway is the first of three different sections that will eventually surround St. George with a 50-mile, four-lane belt route offering access on and off I-15 to the Washington County cities of Hurricane, Washington, Ivins and Santa Clara.

Other roads are also in the planning stages at the city.

mhavnes@sltrib.com