The Beaufort County Airports Board heard an update on terminal construction and related projects, with staff saying the new HXD terminal is roughly 87% complete and jet bridges that arrived from Utah this week are being installed.

Airport Director John told the board that eight or nine flatbed trucks delivered the long jet-bridge sections, which were screened and cleared before being brought across the airfield into the secure construction zone. "We had the jet bridges arrive yesterday; they came all the way from Utah," John said, describing coordination with law enforcement and security for safe delivery and installation.

Why it matters: the terminal expansion is the centerpiece of an effort to expand services and increase passenger capacity. John said contractors are finishing interior systems — lighting, door readers and terrazzo floors — and that much of the remaining work is interior finishing. Steve, who leads project work, said most terrazzo has been laid but not yet polished; apron and concrete pours near jet-bridge locations remain active.

Board members pressed staff on schedule and scope. Staff said the contractor provides timelines in biweekly meetings and that final completion dates remain in flux depending on subcontractor progress; however, the current projection is to complete work prior to the local Heritage events window. On the airfield, staff said drainage grates must be upgraded to aircraft-rated units after a reclassification to Class 3; the ordered grates have a manufacturer lead time of about 10–12 weeks.

Staff also flagged planning and funding actions tied to the project. John said airport staff traveled to Atlanta to meet with the Federal Aviation Administration
irport District Office to review master-plan options, and he reported a grant application was submitted to a federal terminal program (referenced in the transcript under the program name "ija"/former "bil"). United Airlines has also announced increased frequencies to Chicago, John said, which staff expect will increase demand once the terminal opens.

Next steps: staff will continue installation of the jet bridges and interior finishing, pursue the phase-two grant opportunities, and present options developed with the FAA at a future ALP (airport layout plan) update to stakeholders. "We're doing our best to get those pieces in place so the building can function as a full system," John said.

The board did not set a new public completion date at the meeting and noted final dates remain dependent on contractor progress and permitting.