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Balfour Beatty was selected by Onslow County to perform the runway expansion at Albert J. Ellis Airport in Jacksonville, NC.

The project includes a comprehensive renovation and expansion of the airport’s taxiway and runway to provide a completely new travel experience for travelers from Jacksonville, Wilmington, New Bern and Eastern North Carolina.

Balfour Beatty is serving as the general contractor for the airport’s new runway extensions, which include a new 900-foot runway and taxiway extension to accommodate larger aircraft. The project team will install a new Medium Intensity Runway Approach Lighting (MALSR) system to assist pilots with departure and arrival queuing.

In addition, Balfour Beatty will construct a new airport road access and realign North Carolina Highway 111 (NC 111) to accommodate the extended runway.

“Balfour Beatty will leverage its extensive experience in executing runway expansions to deliver these exciting new enhancements at Albert J. Ellis Airport,” said Josh Taylor, Balfour Beatty’s North Carolina project manager. “When completed, the revitalized airport will provide a convenient travel experience for passengers and motorists traveling to and from Onslow County.”

Balfour Beatty has gained experience with some of the most complex and well-known airports over the past 75 years. In the Carolinas, the company has completed various renovation and refurbishment projects at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and recently broke ground on the airport’s Runway 5L/23R Replacement Program, which includes the construction of a new main runway and the conversion of the existing runway to a taxiway.

The construction contract for approximately $30 million was approved by the county in summer 2024. Full contract award is expected in spring 2025. Construction will begin in late 2024.

For more information visit www.balfourbeattyus.com.