NAS JAX runway opens after repairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The runway at Naval Air Station Jacksonville opened Monday morning as the first plane landed on the new runway after about a year of repairs.

It took took over a year to complete the estimated $52 million project at NAS JAX.

During the project, close to 2,000 military personnel and 37 aircraft were relocated to Cecil Field.

The project to replace concrete for the Navy’s P8A aircraft began in June 2015, including an addition of a 1,000-foot overrun at the west runway.

NAS JAX officials said the amount of concrete it took to complete it was about 24 football fields and took around 50,000 man hours to complete.

The lights on the runway were replaced with 1,200 led lights which will save about $1 million a year.

The personnel over at the Cecil Airport handled more than 4,300 flight landings and take offs during the project.

Trending on ActionNewsJax.com:

• Police: Woman fatally shoots intruder discovered in her kid's bedroom
• Florida home to America's two deadliest highways, study says
• Texas mom killed by police after fatally shooting 2 daughters
• Man loses part of leg saving fiancée in Vilano Beach boating accident
• Man ticketed again after hiding under car, touching woman's feet, police say

Cox Media Group