UPHAM, N.M. (AP) Crews have started pouring concrete as part of the final phase of construction on the New Mexico spaceport's 10,000- foot runway.

The New Mexico Spaceport Authority says the runway is expected to be completed this summer. The work began in August.

The multilayered runway is made up of 24 inches of prepared subgrade, four inches of asphalt and a 14- inch finish layer of concrete. Officials say the first concrete was poured last week.

The runway is designed to support nearly every aircraft in the world and day-to-day space tourism and payload launch operations, including returning launch vehicles, flyback rocket boosters and other training vehicles.

Spaceport America executive director Steve Landeene says the concrete pour is a significant milestone in the realization of the spaceport.