Board approves capital budget for Johnston Regional Airport taxiway rehabilitation and bypass apron construction

The Johnston County Board of Commissioners approved a capital project budget to rehabilitate taxiways and construct a bypass to the holding apron at Johnston Regional Airport.

Ken Starlin, assistant chairman of the airport authority, and David Harris, the airport's new director, briefed the board on operational growth that the airport authority says has put strain on pavements and other assets. Harris cited a state Department of Transportation study showing aviation's statewide economic impact and a study specific to Johnston Regional that quantified local jobs and tax revenue. He told commissioners that the airport sometimes ranks as the third- or fourth-busiest single-runway airport in North Carolina despite lacking a control tower.

Harris said operations at the airport increased more than 50% over roughly the last three years and argued that timely rehabilitation saves money: “$1 invested in repair and rehab today is saving us $4 in costs in the future,” he said. The director said the work would preserve pavement life, improve safety and operational efficiency, and support continued growth in based aircraft and operations.

A commissioner moved to approve the capital project budget for the taxiway rehabilitation and bypass apron construction; another commissioner seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote. Commissioners asked about schedule and funding: Harris said construction would take about a year if full funding and federal approvals were in place.

The airport authority thanked the board for the approval and noted the new airport director’s intensive work hours since beginning his role. The county will work with the airport authority on project execution and federal funding steps.