Southbridge Airport Among 2015 MassDOT Facility Upgrades

Ken O’Brien

Southbridge Municipal Airport

Southbridge Municipal Airport is among four airports targeted by the MassDOT Aeronautics Division for construction in 2015. The Agency announced plans to build or renovate general aviation airport administrative facilities in 15 communities during the next five years.

The 15 general aviation airports were chosen as part of a comprehensive, statewide Airport Administration Building Master Plan that identified projects based upon several factors including public safety needs and the amount of activity at the airport. 

Each new airport administrative facility will be designed and built according to a flexible prototype design that considers local needs. "Our airport economic impact study identified nearly $12 billion in economic activity and more than 124,000 jobs traced to aviation in the Commonwealth," said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. "That extraordinary success requires continued strategic investment to ensure these airports continue to serve as economic drivers and gateways for business and tourism." "The Statewide Airport System Plan review found a significant need to improve administration facilities at general aviation airports, with some airports lacking any facilities and many others working in aging buildings in need of repair," said MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator Christopher Willenborg. "These new or renovated facilities will be state-of-the-art, accessible, environmentally sustainable, and better serve our customers."

The four airport projects currently in design and expected to begin construction in 2015, with estimated costs, include:

• Southbridge Municipal Airport, $1.05 million
• Beverly Municipal Airport, $3.74 million
• Fitchburg Municipal Airport, $3.45 million
• Mansfield Municipal Airport, $3.88 million 

Each project is state-funded with a required 5% local match. Project construction is expected to take approximately nine months.

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Thanks to Kirstie Pecci for this news tip.