WESTFIELD, Mass. - Gov. Charlie Baker and Rep. Richard Neal visited the Barnes Air National Guard Base Tuesday for a groundbreaking of a new gate and the ribbon cutting of a new taxiway.

The new gate at the Westfield base will replace one which has been around for the last 70 years. The state invested $4.7 million in the new taxiway, which will expand capabilities at Barnes.

​​Baker said it’s important to support the installation and make sure it continues to be an asset for the community. Baker also said its location makes Barnes a viable destination for public safety and building relationships with foreign lands.

 ​"When you think about where they already have plans with respect to installations across the country," Baker said. "This spot would serve a really valuable and important role in our relationships with almost everybody to the north and to the east over to Europe and beyond."

​The construction for the new gate will begin later this fall and is expected to be completed by next spring.