WORCESTER - Bulldozers and backhoes are scraping the tarmac at Worcester Regional Airport as the $2.1 million taxiway rehabilitation project gets underway.

After almost a year of hibernation, activity is taking off at the airport. The pandemic forced airlines to suspend operations started as early as June last year, because of low passenger numbers and falling revenues.

JetBlue resumed flights to New York in August, and American and Delta plan to restart flights to New York and Philadelphia, respectively, in early November.

And now, the Massachusetts Port Authority has begun working on another project that will enhance the safety on the 1,250-foot long northern end of taxiway B, which is the longest taxiway at the airport. The taxiway project is expected to be completed next month.

"Safety is our top priority and this project is one of many improvements we've made at Worcester Regional Airport to ensure we maintain a safe modern airport," said Andy Davis, airport director at Massport, the state agency that owns and manages Worcester Regional Airport.

Since Worcester Regional Airport was taken over by Massport in 2010, Massport has made more than $100 million in airport improvements, according to a Massport release.

For the taxiway rehabilitation project at Worcester Regional, several rehabilitation and safety improvements are slated.

According to Massport, the taxiway will be milled and repaved to improve the surface condition and drainage; a new energy efficient LED edge lighting system and guidance signage will be installed; and the edges of pavement will also be redesigned to meet the Federal Aviation Administration's current design standards.

The overall $2.1 million cost on the project is largely funded by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.

"This specific project will have no negative impact on the airlines or the traveling public and will not impede flight operations on the airports' two runways," Davis said. "We are strategically making improvements at the airport to attract more service in the future to support the region's long-term economy and meet the demands of a growing city."

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