NCWV Airport Completes $3.3M Project among Last to Begin on Terminal Set to Start August Operations
By Jeff Toquinto on July 23, 2026
A project in Bridgeport in the works for several years and exceeding $50 million has seen the completion of one of its final projects and is set to open next month.
North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock confirmed that the paving of the new, multi-million-dollar terminal parking lot and roads surrounding it is complete. The roughly $3.3 million paving project was done by Anderson Excavating out of Morgantown.
It was the last major project started for the new state-of-the-art NCWV Airport Terminal.
“The paving is done and everything is striped,” said Rock Wednesday, July 21. “We’re doing some finishing touches on a lot of other things. We’ll be putting the final layer on the road (heading into the new terminal off Jerry Dove Drive) with Bear Contracting back on site is among the final things. I can say, for sure, this is the stretch run.”
For the first time in months, Rock also confidently said a date for the grand opening and ribbon cutting are in place, as well as a date for official operations to begin. They will be on back-to-back days next month.
“August 17 is the day we’ve settled on for the grand opening and ribbon cutting with actual operation out of the new terminal August 18,” said Rock. “We haven’t officially set the date for the ribbon cutting, but it will be part of an all-day affair. We’ll probably button up the times for everything and make that information public next week.”
The date coincides with the ending of the summer destination flights by Allegiant, which should help make the transition to the new 
building smooth. Rock said the final flight involving the current terminal building located on the Route 131 (Benedum Drive) side of Bridgeport, will be a Tampa-St. Pete flight.
building smooth. Rock said the final flight involving the current terminal building located on the Route 131 (Benedum Drive) side of Bridgeport, will be a Tampa-St. Pete flight.
“Hopefully, it will be a seamless transition from old to new … We’ve been preparing for every phase on our end and have been working with TSA, and they have been outstanding by being professional and supportive of our efforts,” said Rock.
Rock said this is a rare event where you can see the “history go to the future” in real time. However, he wanted to offer praise to those involved with the project from its inception.
“I’m proud of my team and working with the (Benedum) Airport Authority (the governing body of the NCWV Airport), and anyone who has been involved. Knowing what this means to the community and West Virginia is satisfying,” said Rock. “Watching the work that (NCWV Airport Deputy Director) Shawn (Long) has put in as the project manager has been impressive.
“The other thing is that so many local people have been involved. There are a lot of West Virginia companies that have helped make this happen,” Rock continued. “It adds another layer of satisfaction.”
Editor's Note: Photos show paving work being done last week by Anderson Excavating. Photos courtesy of Ron Cochran.
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