WORCESTER, Mass. — The Engineered Material Arresting System at Worcester Regional Airport is an investment Massport hopes never has to be used.

"It's designed to help aircraft safely come to a stop if they overshoot a runway, with no damage to the aircraft, and more importantly, no injuries to passengers," said airport director Andy Davis.

The $5 million project is replacing the former system, which was installed in 2009. It's made from what's described as lightweight cement blocks designed to crush and move under the weight of an aircraft, providing predictable and controlled deceleration.

"This one is designed for a Boeing 737-800 series, which is a little bit larger and heavier than what the aircrafts are here today," said Massport's senior manager of capital projects Stephen Flecchia.

EMASMAX, the company behind the technology, says the system is in place on more than 120 runway ends worldwide. The first was installed in 1996, and since then, the system is credited with at least 17 successful emergency arrestments.

Worcester's moniker as the 'City of Seven Hills' has played a role in why the airport needs the system.

"We don't have the run-off space that a lot of airports have, like 1,000 feet beyond the runway to safely stop an airplane. We're on top of a hill, and it's a steep incline down on both ends of this primary runway," Davis said. "So, we're required to have something like this."

This is the airport's active e-mas system on the other side of the runway. This will be replaced next year. The project's life span is around 15 to 20 years.

"The sun and other adverse conditions may shorten that lifespan," said Flecchia. "And of course, decent maintenance will always extend it little bit longer."

Construction is ahead of schedule and Massport is expecting the project to be completed by the end of the month.