The airport's main runway is used by corporate jets, general aviation and military operations.
Barnes Municipal Airport in Westfield, seen here last month, is changing its name to Barnes Regional Airport.WESTFIELD – Airport officials are developing a plan to address runway needs at Barnes Regional Airport that could cost as much as $20 million.
Manager Brian P. Barnes said this week the airport is looking at a construction project that could range from resurfacing the main runway to a complete reconstruction of the 9,000 foot long stretch.
“We are working with the Federal Aviation Administration, Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Air National Guard to address these needs,” said Barnes.
He estimated the cost of project at between $7 million for resurfacing to as high as $20 million for the total reconstruction.
Earlier this week Massachusetts Congressional delegates announced the award of $1.8 million targeting improvements at four airports in the state.
The funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation will be used to restore outdated taxiways and runways, preserve surrounding environments and improve overall safety at Norwood Memorial, New Bedford Regional, Fitchburg Municipal and Beverly Municipal airports.
The award was announced by Senators John Kerry, D-Ma. and Scott Brown, R-Ma. and Congressman Barney Frank, D-Ma.
The Norwood Airport will receive $763,800; New Bedford, $605,150; Fitchburg, $316,347 and Beverly Airport, $125,614 from the allocation.
The last runway upgrade at Barnes was completed in 2008 when 300 feet from one end of its secondary runway was removed and reconstructed as part of a $1.9 million FAA safety project. That followed an earlier project in 2008 to remove trees and other obstacles both on and off airport property.
That runway work was the first pavement upgrade since the 1970s.
The main runway is used by corporate jets, general aviation and flight activity by the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing which now fly’s the F-15 Eagle fighter as part of its homeland security mission.
Barnes serves an estimated 65,000 takeoffs and landings annually for an average of 189 operations daily.