Yesterday’s chilly July celebration of a 1,500-foot extension to Green Airport’s main runway was an end and a beginning.

The ceremonial groundbreaking – actual construction started several weeks ago – was viewed as the end to a process that began in 1999 and the beginning to an era of greater air service to the state.

The extension to Runway 5 making it 8,700 feet is the last in a series of airport projects aimed at meeting Federal Aviation Administration safety standards and introducing Green to scheduled non-stop, commercial, coast-to-coast service. That process has required numerous studies and community hearings, often pitting city interests against those of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation and the state as a whole.

But Monday, the message was of cooperation and how on city, state, and federal levels, solutions were reached and federal and RIAC dollars were allocated to make it happen.

In his remarks, Mayor Scott Avedisian confessed he never believed he would be sharing the stage at an event celebrating an extended runway. The sides were that far apart.

He attributed consensus to “forward thinking” people coming together and to the EMAS, or emergency material arrestor system, a series of concrete blocks that crumble under the weight of an aircraft that overshoots a runway.

EMAS, which allowed RIAC to meet FAA safety standards with reduced runway safety areas, enabled RIAC to improve safety areas to the shorter Runway 16-34 without altering the Airport/Post Road intersection and with limited intrusion into Buckeye Brook wetlands. As for the main runway, the use of EMAS, which is more costly than providing a roll-off area of a minimum of 1,000 feet, enabled RIAC to meet safety requirements without relocating Airport Road and looping Main Avenue to the south. That relocated section of Main Avenue opened last week.

Reflecting on the years spent going over airport plans, the hearings and plan revisions, Avedisian called the process a “balancing act” that saved neighborhoods from decimation. He also credited Dr. Kathleen Hittner, a Warwick resident and former chair of the RIAC, with bringing the parties together and staying with it until agreements were reached.

RIAC board chair Jonathan Savage echoed Avedisian’s observation. He said it was her “vision and tenancy that made this a reality.”

Hittner was in the audience Monday. She senses growing support and confidence for Green Airport. She said that without the support of the city and state, the federal dollars enabling the extension and improvements wouldn’t have happened.

“It wouldn’t have come if we didn’t have their [the FAA’s] confidence we could do the job,” she said.

At several points during the speaking program, landing aircraft interrupted the speaking program. It wasn’t that anyone in attendance minded.

“Those are tourists,” interim president and CEO Peter Frazier said after pausing for a landing Southwest 737. Frazier served as master of ceremonies, outlining the roles each of the nine speakers played in the series of improvements. He also disclosed that the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure announced Monday that the runway extension project is the winner of a Gold Award for sustainability.

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed called the improvements a “mutual effort” involving the whole community. He also cited the role former mayor and governor Lincoln Chafee played in making it possible.

“We’re now on the final step,” said Reed.

He went on to say: “It is nice to say if they will build it, they will come.” He offered no assurances, but noted without a longer runway, Green wouldn’t have the opportunity of providing airlines the capability of providing non-stop, coast-to-coast service.

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse credited Reed – who “in Washington talk is a cardinal” because of his tenure on appropriation committees – with bringing home the funding to make improvements possible.

Money and collaboration were also on the mind of Gov. Gina Raimondo.

She said airport improvements reflect what can be accomplished when everybody comes together and works as a team. Then she added, “not one penny of Rhode Island tax dollars are going into this.”

Funding of the projects – which in addition to improvements to the two runways include the Main Avenue roadwork, relocation of the Winslow Park softball and soccer fields, and demolition of Hangar 1 to meet FAA safety requirements – have come from FAA grants and RIAC revenues. Total cost of the projects is $137.6 million, Frazier said. The RIAC share, which varies depending on project, but totals about $50 million, will be financed by passenger facility charges, general purpose funds and bonds, Frazier said.

“Collaboration is what has moved this forward,” said Amy Corbett, FAA regional administrator. “It’s pretty awesome.”

“I feel comfortable, I’ve got some dirt on my boots,” said Scott Duhamel, secretary-treasurer of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council. He called airport improvements “a twofer,” as they provide wages for workers and build the infrastructure for a stronger economy.

The extension, which is being built by Cardi Construction, starts at its end and works toward the runway. It is to be completed by December 2017.