For Immediate Release

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Beverly Regional Airport Receives $1.9 Million in Grant Funding from FAA and MassDOT

95% of Master Plan and Runway Rehabilitation Costs Now Grant-Funded

BEVERLY — Airport Manager Gloria Bouillon is pleased to announce that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) have awarded Beverly Regional Airport approximately $1.9 million in grants to support the development of a new master plan and a runway rehabilitation project.

On Tuesday, July 23, Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill and the City Council accepted approximately $1.8 million in grants from the FAA, which will fund 90 percent of the total cost for both the master plan and the runway rehabilitation project. The City Council also accepted approximately $100,000 in grants from MassDOT, which will fund 5 percent of each project.

The remaining cost for the master plan and runway rehabilitation project, at approximately $100,000, is funded in the airport’s operating budget.

The airport’s current master plan, developed in 1999, was last updated in 2010 and reflects 20-year-old data that no longer aligns with the airport’s operations.

Today, the airport houses more than 18 businesses and has a wait list for aircraft hanger space. As a direct result of this activity, the airport was estimated to have brought approximately $34 million in economic activity from 2014-2018 to the North Shore region, according to the January Massachusetts Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study.

The new plan will:

• Identify capital projects for the airport to consider, plan and work toward over the next five to 10 years based on data forecasting aeronautical demand at the site.
• Examine the projected long-term activity at the airport over the next 20 years.
• Guide the airport as it continues to operate in a safe, efficient and effective manner, while reflecting the character and goals established for it by the City of Beverly.
• Ensure that the airport continues to comply with all federal regulations and design standards.

The grants will also fund a rehabilitation project for the airport’s primary runway to satisfy safety design requirements and pavement maintenance. The project will maintain the runway’s current 100 foot width and 5,0001 foot length, which will allow the airport to continue servicing larger jet aircraft as well as smaller planes.

Before Bouillon brought new data regarding the airport’s operations to light at a meeting this fall with the FAA and MassDOT, the runway was scheduled to be shortened in width, which jeopardized ongoing operations at the facility.

“We are thrilled that the FAA and MassDOT have recognized our need to create a new master plan and to rehabilitate the runway at its current size,” Bouillon said. “The airport’s operations have changed significantly since the last plan was developed, and we’re thriving. We’re excited to continue to meet the demands of our businesses on site and the aircraft that seek out our facility. This new plan will properly suit our projected operations.”

The master plan project has been awarded to Airport Solutions Group, with several sub-consultants. The master plan will take between 18 months and two years to complete, and data collection for the project will begin this summer.

The runway project went out to bid in April, and was awarded to Brox Construction. The airport expects to begin construction this September, which is slated to be completed in approximately 45 days.

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