I'm not used to posting and addressed my previous post to CedarDave. I meant to just post a general post.
Something else that was on my mind that I forgot in my other post. The new construction and configuration would probably be new to the tower controller too.
This could have been the first time the controller saw it, or the first time the controller saw it at night. Even if it wasn't the first time the controller saw it ........... it would still be somewhat new to the controller.
I don't know how different that would look from the tower.
I am not trying to make any excuses from anyone. It's just that I have no experience as a pilot and a bunch of years as a controller and know a little bit more about the controller aspect.
I know there was a jumpseater, I know his name unfortunately. As for talking during takeoff roll, this is highly unlikely, because in my 10,000 hours of flying time, even the rule bending talkers don't talk during a takeoff roll.
We do have to ask though, how you could mistake a runway with MIRL out of service for a runway with runway lights especially on a predawn flight.