WARWICK, R.I. (AP) — Officials have broken ground on a $90 million project to extend the runway at the T.F. Green Airport in Warwick.
The Rhode Island Airport Corporation celebrated the start of the project Monday morning with a ceremonial groundbreaking and remarks from Gov. Gina Raimondo, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian and the Rhode IslandCongressional Delegation.
The plan to extend the runway 1,500 feet had been under study for more than decade before it was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2011.
Airport President Peter Frazier says the extended runway will eliminate the need for weight restrictions on airplanes leaving T.F. Green. He says it also gives the state the opportunity for long-haul service.
The deadline for testing the new runway is December 2017, with the official opening date to be announced.
