A study of environmental impacts of a consolidated automobile rental lot on the north side of Lindbergh Field was under way today, according to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
That is the first small step toward relocating passenger facilities to the opposite side of San Diego's international airport, which would be accessed from Pacific Highway instead of N. Harbor Drive.
The relocation plan was affirmed last year by the SDCRAA, San Diego Association of Governments and the city of San Diego.
An environmental impact report for the airport's master plan was certified in 2008, according to the SDCRAA.
The current study -- which will look at air quality, noise and traffic impacts -- is specific to the car rental facility, and is due for completion this fall.
Several major rental agencies are currently located on N. Harbor Drive near the U.S. Coast Guard station, but others are several miles away.
Officials are looking for ways to streamline airport operations to reduce congestion. Passenger facilities on the opposite side of Lindbergh Field's sole runway will be closer to freeways, and the Old Town Transit Center, which offers bus, trolley and other rail service.
The consolidated lot could also cut down on the number of rental company vans circulating through terminal access lanes.
