Balfour Beatty Begins Construction for Onslow County’s Albert J. Ellis Airport Runway Expansion

April 23, 2026

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. - Balfour Beatty has mobilized on site to begin construction activities for the runway expansion program at Onslow County's Albert J. Ellis Airport (OAJ), advancing critical airfield upgrades that will support the region's growth and improve the passenger experience. As construction manager at-risk, the company will deliver airfield, roadway and systems enhancements that enable the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and improve operational efficiency.

The expansion scope includes construction of a new 900-foot runway and taxiway extension, sized to handle larger aircraft; installation of a Medium-Intensity Approach Light System with Runway (MALSR) to support safer and more efficient arrival and departure sequences; and delivery of a new airport roadway entrance with realignment of North Carolina Highway 111 (NC 111) to integrate the extended runway into the surrounding transportation network.

Balfour Beatty's mobilization builds on the firm's longstanding aviation expertise in North Carolina and its previous work at Albert J. Ellis Airport, where the team delivered a new terminal in 2015.

"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, Balfour Beatty vice president in the Carolinas. "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."

With construction underway, the new runway expansion at OAJ is scheduled for completion in Fall 2027.