The road project includes direct access to Barnes Regional Airport.
This conceptual drawing shows the future expansion of the Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. service center at Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield.
WESTFIELD — Work will begin early next year on the redesign and reconstruction of Airport Industrial Road, leading toward development of a new 80-acre Airport Industrial Park.
The city advertised the project, estimated at $1.5 million, this week with a bid opening scheduled Jan. 10. City Advancement Officer Jeffrey R. Daley, said preliminary site preparation could begin by Feb. 1.
The road project must be completed by June, according to requirements of the $2 million state grant given the city for the project, Daley said.
Airport Industrial Road is located off North Road which, when redesigned, will include direct access to Barnes Regional Airport. The road runs from North Road to Char Road.
“The overall project will open up between 800,000 and 1 million square feet of new industrial space, slightly more than 80 acres,” Daley said.
The project will include installation of a dry-capped sewer system, water service and other utilities and address safety concerns. Daley said the current road offers poor visibility in some areas.
Jeffrey Daley
The road currently serves, and will continue to serve, between eight and 10 existing businesses in the area including Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., which is building a new $23 million aircraft repair maintenance facility.
“The road project will help with the planned development of a new air park, and it will better serve Gulfstream and other existing businesses,” said Daley.
The new park will sit on 80 acres on the northeast property line of Barnes Airport. It includes the former Whip City Speedway racetrack that closed in 2011.
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