Runway Extension Complete at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport
    Runway Extension Complete at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport
    City Media Releases

    Runway Extension Complete at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport

    The extension is directly tied to the Taxiway D realignment project

    TEMPLE, TX (July 24, 2026) – The runway extension at Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport is officially complete after months of construction. The project started in November 2025 officially wrapped up this week. 
    The total project cost is approximately $6,691,838, and funding the project was part of the Airport Improvement Grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Aviation Division and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), granted to the city in the fall of 2025. The grant was made possible by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, signed by the Biden Administration, which increased grant funding for airports and adjusted the local match rate to 95/5 for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
    The grant breakdown includes: 95% of funding from the Federal Aviation Administration through the Airport Improvement Program, with support from the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division and the airport's local matching funds (5%). This partnership allowed Draughon-Miller to improve critical infrastructure while minimizing the impact on local taxpayers.

    At its core, this project is a safety-driven investment that simultaneously strengthens the airport's ability to serve the community and support future aviation demand.

    Sean Parker, Director of Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport

    As part of the Taxiway D realignment project, a portion of the runway would have been displaced, making it necessary to extend the runway to maintain and enhance the airport's operational capabilities. By realigning Taxiway D, Draughon-Miller was able to create a safer, more efficient runway crossing that better aligns with current FAA design standards and best practices.
    Airport Runway Expansion-4.jpgAirport Runway Expansion-46.jpgAirport Runway Expansion-40.jpgAirport Runway Expansion-47.jpg
    The project not only improved safety for pilots and airfield operations personnel but also preserved the runway length needed to accommodate the airport's existing and future aviation users. The extension provides several long-term benefits, including increased operational efficiency, improved aircraft performance during high-temperature conditions, enhanced flexibility for business aviation operations and continued support for the economic growth of the airport and surrounding region.

    Airports are economic engines for their communities, and this project strengthens our ability to support existing businesses while attracting new investment. Many companies rely on business aviation to move people, products, and services efficiently. By improving our airfield infrastructure, we are enhancing the region's competitiveness, supporting job creation, and ensuring that our community remains attractive to future business and economic development opportunities.

    Sean Parker, Director of Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport

    The new runway length is 5,242 x 100 feet, and the previous runway was 4,740 x 100 feet.