North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on a major runway expansion project at Albert J. Ellis Airport, as Balfour Beatty mobilizes on site to deliver a series of airfield and infrastructure upgrades.
The company, acting as construction manager at-risk, will oversee improvements designed to accommodate larger aircraft, enhance operational efficiency and support regional growth.
The project includes a new 900-foot runway and taxiway extension, along with installation of a Medium-Intensity Approach Lighting System with Runway (MALSR) to improve safety and efficiency for arriving and departing aircraft. Work also involves construction of a new airport entrance and realignment of North Carolina Highway 111 to better integrate the expanded runway with the surrounding transportation network.
Balfour Beatty said the mobilization builds on its previous work at the airport, including delivery of a new terminal completed in 2015, as well as its broader aviation experience across North Carolina.
“This milestone reflects close collaboration with Onslow County and OAJ to phase work safely, keep the airfield resilient and deliver capacity where the community needs it most,” said Trent Johnson, vice-president for the company’s Carolinas operations. “With airfield, lighting and roadway improvements progressing in tandem, travelers and pilots will begin to see the benefits as we advance each sequence of work.”
Construction is expected to continue through multiple phases, with the runway expansion scheduled for completion in fall 2027.