Adams County residents may experience an increase in air-traffic noise over the next two months while Denver International Airport completes renovations on two runways.

David Rhodes, Denver International Airport’s aviation and planning and development deputy manager, said the two airport runways officially closed for 75 days on Aug. 1 to address federally mandated improvements.

As a result, he said, citizens in the nearby neighborhoods may see an increase in flight activity after flight plans and patterns were altered to accommodate the closures.

During an Aug. 29 public meeting, about 12 Brighton residents who live south of Barr Lake said they have experienced an increase in noise from the altered flight traffic over their homes. Some said airplane-related noises became louder at about the same time the airport runways closed, about a month ago. Rhodes said the 12,000-feet-long-by-150-feet-wide closure of the airport runways and taxiways is necessary to complete improvements required by the Federal Aviation Administration. The runways are on the west airfield, closes to the terminal. He said the $30 million construction project, which includes concrete-panel reconstruction, shoulder widening and electrical improvements, should be completed by Oct. 15.

Heather Barry, Denver International Airport’s government affairs and external relations director, said the airport collaborates with the FAA to create flight plans but noted that the federal agency ultimately determines air-traffic patterns. She said Denver International Airport is now in the process of sharing community concerns with the FAA, a move that may result in flight-pattern changes.

“We can’t guarantee that there’s going to be a change right away, but they are aware of the concerns that many residents are experiencing, so hopefully we will see some mitigation,” Barry said.

To report air-traffic noise, contact Denver International Airport’s Noise Management Office by phone at 303-342-2380.

All callers may leave recorded messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but have the option to speak with a noise officer during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. To view a variety of reports and informational items, find answers to commonly asked questions and register noise complaints electronically, go online to the Denver International Airport’s WebTrak website at: http://business.flydenver.com/community/noise/complaints.asp.