Coast Guard Awards $32M Runway Reconstruction Contract at Base Elizabeth City

The U.S. Coast Guard is making a major investment in its aviation infrastructure at Base Elizabeth City, North Carolina, with a $32 million runway and taxiway reconstruction contract.

The Coast Guard’s Facilities Design and Construction Center, based in Norfolk, Virginia, awarded the design-build contract to RQ Construction for the comprehensive reconstruction of crosswind Runway 1-19 and the restoration of taxiways Kilo and Golf. The upgrades are intended to modernize the base’s airfield operations while minimizing operational disruption.

Runway 1-19, which spans 4,518 feet in length and 150 feet in width, will be rebuilt from the ground up. The project will also replace and upgrade the runway lighting system, including runway end identifier lights, edge lights, guidance signs, and associated electrical infrastructure. Additional improvements will include updated taxiway lighting and the construction of a new turnaround apron at the approach end of Runway 1-19.

“This significant infrastructure investment will greatly improve air traffic operations and enhance air traffic safety at Base Elizabeth City,” said Capt. Neal Armstrong, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Facilities Design and Construction Center. “Importantly, the project will be constructed without requiring the closure of the primary Runway 10-28, minimizing disruption to ongoing operations.”

Construction is slated to start in 2026 and is expected to wrap up by fall 2027. The Coast Guard noted that keeping Runway 10-28 operational during the work is critical for maintaining uninterrupted air support for regional missions.

Base Elizabeth City is one of the Coast Guard’s most strategically important aviation hubs. It supports a range of missions, from search and rescue operations to regional logistics. Air Station Elizabeth City operates HC-130J Hercules aircraft and MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters, providing rapid-response capabilities across the East Coast. The base is also home to the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center, which handles depot-level maintenance for the service’s entire fixed- and rotary-wing fleet, including HC-27J, HC-144, HC-130J/H, MH-60T, and MH-65D aircraft.

The upgrades to Runway 1-19 and the taxiways are expected to increase operational safety, reduce maintenance needs, and allow the base to handle a wider range of mission requirements in the future. By strengthening its aviation infrastructure, the Coast Guard aims to enhance mission readiness and operational efficiency for years to come.

Originally reported by United States Coast Guard News.