DOVER, Del. – On Monday, Senator Coons attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Runway 01-19 at Dover Air Force base in Kent County. This event marked the beginning of a project that will, over the months to come, replace the existing Runway 01-19 with a new runway meeting the requirements for heavy strength runway pavement, in addition to repairing the instrument landing system and the runway approach lighting system.
The Air Force Civil Engineer Center awarded $98.3 million to Versar, Inc. and Johnson Controls in 2014 in order to complete this project. Initial work on the project began in early February of this year, and the new Runway 01-19 is expected to be finished in June of 2016.
“This runway is especially critical for warfighters and maintaining the cutting edge of our United States Air Force,” said Sen. Coons. “The investment in this runway is a key piece in making sure that we continue to have an airport here that is best in class, that is BRAC-proof and that continues to make it’s lasting contribution to moving our country’s 20 percent strategic airlift capability.”
The runway has been in service since the 1940s and is crucial to permitting the C-5M Super Galaxies and C-17A Globemaster IIIs to accomplish their missions for the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings. In the last year alone, 31 Dover AFB aircraft touch downed on 230 airfields in 62 countries.
Dover Airforce Base is home to the Department of Defense’s largest aerial port and the nation’s only Port Mortuary, which is expected to see changes to its operations as a result of the project. Safety remains the highest priority.