Dirt is being moved for the new Williston airport.
Later this month, bids will be taken for the new runway – and construction of the terminal will begin later this year.
It's a $265 million facility.
State Aeronautics commission directorn Kyle Wanner says later this month, bids will be taken for the new primary runway.
"We're hopeful we ged good bids," Wanner said. "That project will start later this year."
And construction will start on the new terminal later this year as well.
"It's a very large project," Wanner said. "There are a lot of people working on it."
Wanner said the goal is to open the new airport in the fall of 2019.
Wanner said he believes the passenger numbers from Williston will easily support the new airport.
"When you look at 2014 and 2015, Williston had over 100,000 passengers per year," Wanner said. "Historically, 10 to 12 years ago, Williston had 8,000 to 10,000 a year. So, at the peak, there were 10 times the passengers."
Wanner said even with the slowdown in the oil industry, he predicts there will still be 65,000 to 70,000 passengers. He said the new, longer runway could attract new carriers -- and bigger planes.
