PORTLAND, Maine — EDITOR'S NOTE: Video above was created on 04-18-2022
The primary runway at the Portland International Jetport (PWM) is back open Saturday, two days ahead of schedule, according to the airport's website.
The main runway closed for eight weeks back on April 18, due to construction. It was expected to open back up on June 13. All inbound and outbound flights were diverted to PWM’s secondary runway.
The project, which cost an estimated $13.7 million dollars, required 50 to 70 workers to remove and install 34,000 tons of bituminous paving and nearly 20 miles of wire for the runway lighting systems, according to airport director Paul Bradbury.
This type of renovation happens every 20 years to keep the runway in optimal condition for airplanes, Bradbury added.