Mortenson Breaks Ground on Landmark Biosecurity Facility in South Texas

Mortenson has broken ground on the New World Screwworm Sterile Insect Production Facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, launching a nationally significant project to protect U.S. agriculture, livestock, and food supply systems. Mortenson is leading the $610 million design‑build project for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s mission.

The facility represents a major investment in domestic agricultural resilience and strengthens the nation’s ability to prevent the reintroduction of one of the most destructive livestock pests. The April 17, 2026, groundbreaking marked the official start of construction at Moore Air Base.

Building a First Line of Defense

The New World Screwworm remains a serious threat to livestock and agriculture, requiring a proactive, science‑based response at a national scale. Once complete, the Moore Air Base facility will be the only sterile fly production facility in the United States, capable of producing up to 300 million sterile flies per week using a proven biological control method.

 For Mortenson, the project reflects a long‑standing commitment to delivering complex, high‑stakes facilities where reliability and long‑term performance are essential.

Designed for Performance and Resilience

This highly specialized facility is engineered for continuous, 24/7 operation, with secure production environments and fully redundant building systems that protect both people and process. Mortenson’s integrated design-build approach brings government partners, designers, builders, and key trade partners together early to address containment requirements and operational complexity, supporting consistent performance over the life of the facility.

A Win Built on Teaming and Trust

Delivering this project required early alignment on scope and risk. Mortenson worked closely with the government, designers, and key trade partners to make critical decisions early and establish a shared plan before construction began.

Construction is now underway on an accelerated schedule, with a phased approach toward initial operational capability followed by full production capacity. As work progresses, Mortenson remains focused on delivery and accountability for a facility that reflects the importance of its mission.