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Date: 5/4/2022
CHICOPEE – The Westover Air Reserve Base unveiled the completed reconstruction of the base’s main runway during an April 26 ceremony.
The approximately $32 million project represents the first remodel of the runway since its initial construction in 1954. Previously, Westover repaired the runway’s surface but were unable to address the underlying base course or sub-grade. After a pavement evaluation in 2018, Westover decided to address the runway, which received a fair condition rating overall and a poor rating for each overrun end of the runway.
The former runway’s condition impacted the rapid, global mobility of Westover’s operations, which placed significance on completing the runway as soon as possible.
Finances for the 11,597-foot runway were awarded in March 2020 before the runway’s completion in October 2021. Lagan Construction, LLC from Woodbridge, VA served as the contractor for the runway, while Stantec from Portland, ME represents the project’s designer, according to Westover’s press release.
Gov. Charlie Baker attended the ribbon-cutting alongside Congressman Richard Neal, 439th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Joseph Janik, state Sen. Eric Lesser, state Rep. Jacob Oliveira, Chicopee Mayor John Vieau, Base Civil Engineer David Morin, James Keogh of Lagan Construction, and other members of the 439th team.
In his address, Janik stressed the importance of revitalizing the runway.
“The completion of the runway reconstruction project is absolutely key to the Patriot Wing’s ability to provide rapid, global mobility. Westover’s proximity to our European NATO partners and the Middle East holds high strategic value…Modernizing our strategic infrastructure amplifies our capacity to win tomorrow’s fight,” said Janik.
Janik also highlighted how the runway benefits Westover’s local community partner Westover Airport. “The Westover Airport has been able to promote the airfield’s capabilities to new customers looking to land here at all hours of night, if necessary,” said Janik.
Neal reflected on the ongoing transformation of Westover Air Base.
The congressman discussed former Mayor Anthony Stonina’s efforts advocating for the base in the late 1930s while acknowledging Westover’s role as a significant military operation.
“My understanding is he actually secured a meeting with Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and we celebrate that achievement of his vision today. Time and again, this base has demonstrated its necessity in terms of foreign operations,” said Neal, who also highlighted a $42.6 million earmark Westover received in 2019 for the construction of a new hanger.
Reflecting on the current unrest in Ukraine, Baker acknowledged the efforts of Westover and the United States military.
“Thank you to all the folks here in uniform, to their families and to all of you that support those men and women who serve our country and our nation’s military,” said Baker.
Baker also highlighted Westover’s global reach as a military asset. “It’s something that’s incredibly important strategically to our nation and it’s something here in Massachusetts we can justifiably be proud about,” said Baker.