Port Authority reveals vision to rebuild Newark Airport
Photo courtesy of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Flickr
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Thursday unveiled the EWR Vision Plan, a long-term project redeveloping Newark Liberty International Airport. The vision includes building a new Terminal B, enhancing Terminal C, fixing the airport’s confusing roadway network, and replacing the AirTrain system.
Developed in partnership with design firm Arup and architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the vision plan sets forth a thorough reimagining of the airport, with modernized terminals and infrastructure, a more efficient roadway network, and a redesigned taxiway network to host more aircraft and reduce delays.
The plan will prepare the airport for future growth, while best serving the diverse needs of passengers, airlines, and the surrounding community. The vision plan was developed after multiple rounds of outreach to airport tenants, operational partners, and the public.
Much of the 96-year-old airport’s infrastructure dates back to the 1970s, when Terminals B, C, and the original Terminal A were constructed. Now, much of the airport’s infrastructure fails to meet the standards of modern air travel, a fact that has become more apparent as air travel volume grows.
The plan builds on the success of the award-winning Terminal A, which opened at the airport in January 2023 and was recognized as “the best new airport terminal in the world” by global airport evaluation firm Skytrax.
“A modern, efficient, world-class Newark Liberty Airport is more than just a dream. We now have an actionable path forward thanks to this comprehensive vision plan,” Port Authority Chair Kevin O’Toole said.
“As the blueprint shows, we’re ready to take a top-to-bottom look at everything from terminals to roadways to taxiways as we build EWR into a best-in-class global gateway and position it to continue serving as a vital economic engine for New Jersey and the region.”
In 2023, a record-breaking 49 million passengers traveled through Newark Liberty International Airport. This surge has created significant challenges, including insufficient terminal capacity, congested roadways, and airside delays, which have impeded operations and hurt the overall passenger experience.
With the vision plan, the Port Authority aims to meet this anticipated growth while providing an exemplary experience “from curb to gate.” The plan is laid out in phases in order to prevent major disruptions to airport operations while creating new business opportunities for the community.
The project will also allow the Port Authority to bolster its sustainability initiatives and get closer to its goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
It also incorporates ongoing projects at the airport, such as replacing the existing AirTrain system with a modern automated system and establishing a new access point to the airport’s rail station for underserved neighborhoods in Newark and Elizabeth.
A $950 million contract was awarded for the AirTrain project in December, as reported by NJ.com. The AirTrain project is estimated to cost $2 billion, according to the New York Times.
While officials have yet to provide a price tag or firm timeline, they have stated that near-term projects will likely occur over the next decade. The next phase will be to rebuild the AirTrain system to allow for airport expansion, and then to expand Terminal A.
Port Authority officials intend to complete Terminal A planning in the next three to four months, and will soon begin planning for the new Terminal B, which is expected to take a couple of years, Jacquelene McCarthy, director of aviation redevelopment at the Port Authority, told NJ.com.
The Port Authority plans to begin a two- to three-year process in 2025 for major components of the project, including estimated costs and alternatives.
Newark Airport’s vision plan aims to elevate it to the same level as the tri-state area’s other airports, LaGuardia and JFK, which have both undergone radical transformations in recent years.
As part of the $19 billion “JFK Vision Plan,” work on the new international Terminal One broke ground in September 2022, while the new Terminal 6 broke ground in February 2023. Other projects connected to the transformation of JFK include the $1.5 billion expansion of Terminal 4 led by Delta and JFK, and a $425 million expansion of Terminal 8, led by American Airlines.
LaGuardia underwent a modernization following an $8 billion project that began in 2016 and was largely completed in June 2022 with the opening of Delta’s $4 billion Terminal C.
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